Patent ID: 9168683
Filing Date: 2015-10-27
Classification: A61F,A61L,B29C,B29K,B29L,C08J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A medical implant comprising an oxidation resistant, cross-linked polymeric blend made by a process comprising the steps of: a) mixing a polymeric material with an antioxidant to form a polymeric blend, wherein the mixing is in the absence of a supercritical fluid, and wherein the polymeric material is polymeric resin powder, polymeric flakes, polymeric particles, or a mixture thereof; b) consolidating the polymeric blend; c) irradiating the polymeric blend by ionizing radiation at an elevated temperature that is above room temperature and below the peak melting point of the polymeric blend, thereby forming a cross-linked polymeric blend; d) mechanically deforming the cross-linked polymeric blend at a temperature below its melting point, thereby forming a mechanically deformed cross-linked polymeric blend; e) annealing the mechanically deformed cross-linked polymeric blend, thereby forming an oxidation resistant cross-linked polymeric blend; and f) machining the oxidation resistant cross-linked polymeric blend, thereby forming the medical implant.