Patent ID: 6664308
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: A61L,B29C,B29K,B29L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of treatment for the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material forming a medical implant, said material having a weight-average molecular weight greater than 400,000, the method comprising:preventing said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material forming the implant from contact with oxygen in a concentration greater than 1% volume by volume; irradiating the polyethylene material forming said implant to create free radicals while said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material is prevented from contact with oxygen in a concentration greater than 1% volume by volume; and heating the polyethylene material forming the implant to form cross-links between said free radicals for a temperature and time at least equivalent to 50Â° C. for 144 hours as defined by Arrhennius' equation (14) while said ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene material is prevented from contact with oxygen in a concentration greater than 1% volume by volume.