Patent ID: 7344672
Filing Date: 2008-03-18
Classification: A61F,A61L,B29C,B29K,C08F

Abstract:
1. A method of making a bearing component made of UHMWPE, suitable for use in a medical implant comprising radiation crosslinking a UHMWPE; preheating the crosslinked UHMWPE to a temperature above 80° C. and below its melting point; solid-state-extruding the UHMWPE at a temperature below the melting temperature of the UHMWPE at a draw ratio of about 2.0 or less and greater than 1; cooling the extruded UHMWPE to a solidification temperature; annealing the cooled UHMWPE at a temperature above 100° C. and below the melting point; and machining the component from the annealed UHMWPE.