Patent ID: 7476250
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A semi-permeable membrane segment that is attached to a surgical implant that comprises a hydrogel material, wherein said surgical implant comprising said hydrogel material and said attached membrane segment is sized and configured for replacing damaged cartilage in a mammalian joint, and wherein said semi-permeable membrane segment is attached to said hydrogel material in a manner which provides an articulating surface of the surgical implant, wherein said articulating surface of said surgical implant is designed to interact with water, surface-active phospholipid molecules, and hyaluronate molecules in mammalian synovial fluid, after surgical implantation of said surgical implant into a joint, in a manner that sustains lubrication of said articulating surface by said water, surface-active phospholipid molecules, and hyaluronate molecules, and wherein said semi-permeable membrane segment is hydrophilic and permeable to water but not permeable to surface-active phospholipid or hyaluronate molecules in mammalian synovial fluid.