Patent ID: 6547824
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: A61F,A61L,F16C

Abstract:
A prosthetic joint comprising:a first member comprising ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, having a first load-bearing surface; and a second member comprising: a second body portion; and a second load-bearing portion, having a second load-bearing surface, the second load-bearing portion comprising a metallic material having a thermal conductivity greater than about seventy-five times the thermal conductivity of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, the thermal conductivity measured at about 310Â° K, the second load-bearing portion clad onto the second body portion; the surfaces slidingly disposed relative to each other; the surfaces, when loaded, defining a region of frictional contact where heat is generated;wherein the joint is configured to thermally manage the region of frictional contact by heat conduction through the second member.