Patent ID: 7947220

Claim:
A method of sterilizing an orthopaedic implant comprising the steps of: a. providing a first orthopaedic component, the first orthopaedic component having a first orthopaedic component mating surface; b. providing a second orthopaedic component, the second orthopaedic component having a second orthopaedic component mating surface; c. associating at least one gas conduit with at least one of the first orthopaedic component mating surface and the second orthopaedic component mating surface; d. assembling the second orthopaedic component to the first orthopaedic component such that the first component mating surface confronts the second component mating surface to define a mating surface interface; e. subjecting the assembly to a gas sterilization process such that the at least one gas conduit facilitates a sterilization gas to substantially penetrate the mating surface interface; f. providing a stem; g. assembling a femoral head to the stem; and h. assembling the femoral head to the first orthopaedic component or the second orthopaedic component.