Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090043398 | METHOD OF PRODUCING GRADIENT ARTICLES BY CENTRIFUGATION MOLDING OR CASTING - The present invention provides a method for producing articles with a gradient of density, porosity and/or concentration by subjecting a viscous material to centrifugation during production of the article. The viscous material may be a composite material comprising a hydrogel. The viscous material can be molded or cast into the article. In certain embodiments, the viscous material is used to create an articulating surface implant such as a replacement plug, a knee spacer, or a spinal disc. The article may also be an implant such as a shoulder implant or other socket type implant that is produced by centrifuging in two axes which produces a gradient relative to both axes of rotation. | 02-12-2009 |
20090131590 | REACTIVE COMPOUNDING OF HYDROGELS - This invention provides methods to form modified hydrogel materials using reactive compounding. The method includes mixing a hydrogel material with a plasticizer in a compounding apparatus. During mixing, a reactive chemical compound is added to the mixture that reacts with the hydrogel material to form a modified hydrogel material. | 05-21-2009 |
20090175919 | CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HYDROGELS FOR USE AS ARTICULATING SURFACES - The present invention provides a hydrogel composition comprising at least one polymer with functional groups including alcohol groups, acid groups, and amide groups and where the ratio of the functional alcohol groups to functional acid groups in the hydrogel composition ranges from about 16:1 to about 3:2. The present invention also provides a method of repairing an articulating surface in a body using the inventive composition. The inventive hydrogel composition is created by blending two or more polymers to achieve the desired ratio of functional groups, reacting at least one polymer with a reagent that results in the formation of alcohol, acid, and/or amide functional groups of the desired ratio, and/or polymerizing at least one monomer to achieve the desired ratio of functional groups. | 07-09-2009 |
20100022677 | REDUCTION OF FREE RADICALS IN CROSSLINKED POLYETHYLENE BY INFRARED HEATING - UHMWPE is exposed to crosslinking radiation and than heated utilizing infrared radiation. In one exemplary embodiment, the infrared radiation is provided by an infrared heater having a tungsten heating element with a quartz tube. In this embodiment, the infrared radiation may have the wavelength from about 1.0 micron to about 1.5 microns. In another exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE is compression molded into bars prior to exposure to the crosslinking radiation. | 01-28-2010 |
20100022678 | REDUCTION OF FREE RADICALS IN CROSSLINKED POLYETHYLENE BY INFRARED HEATING - UHMWPE is exposed to crosslinking radiation and than heated utilizing infrared radiation in an inert environment. In one exemplary embodiment, the infrared radiation is provided by an infrared heater having a tungsten heating element with a quartz tube. In this embodiment, the infrared radiation may have the wavelength from about 1.0 micron to about 1.5 microns. In another exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE is compression molded into bars prior to exposure to the crosslinking radiation. | 01-28-2010 |
20100049321 | Fibrous Implants for Cartilage Repair or Replacement - An orthopedic device for repairing a cartilage defect and a method for utilizing the same. The orthopedic device includes an implant capable of attachment to bone, and a bearing portion extending from an exterior substrate of the implant. The implant may also include an anchor. The bearing portion includes a fibrous bearing surface configured to articulate against adjacent anatomical structures. | 02-25-2010 |
20100161073 | MOSAICPLASTY CONSTRUCTS - Various embodiments of mosaicplasty constructs and methods for implanting the constructs into anatomical structures. The mosaicplasty constructs may be formed from artificial materials and may include a hard articulating portion and a relatively softer elastic, support portion. The mosaicplasty constructs may include bone ingrowth materials to facilitate ingrowth of bone and other tissues into the construct. The mosaicplasty constructs may also be at least partially formed of hydrogel materials. | 06-24-2010 |
20100249945 | SURFACE MODIFICATION OF ULTRAHIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE - The present invention relates to polymers and, specifically, to surface modification of polymers. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention increases the bond strength of UHMWPE components to PMMA bone cement by creating a chemical bond between the UHMWPE components and the PMMA bone cement. Specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, a surface of the UHMWPE component that is to be bonded to PMMA bone cement is treated with an oxidizing agent, such as an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. In one exemplary embodiment, the UHMWPE component is treated with hydrogen peroxide by swabbing the surface of the UHMWPE component with the hydrogen peroxide solution. The surface of the UHMWPE component may then be dried and PMMA bone cement applied to the surface of the UHMWPE component. | 09-30-2010 |
20100331990 | GLENOID IMPLANT WITH SYNTHETIC LABRUM - A prosthetic glenoid component for replicating the behavior of a patient's natural glenoid includes a rim that replicates the patient's natural glenoid labrum. | 12-30-2010 |