JP5969637B2 - Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene article and method of forming ultra high molecular weight polyethylene article - Google Patents

Description

  Many endoprosthetic joint replacements currently implanted in patients include highly polished metal or ceramic parts that articulate on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) materials or blends. Wear and abrasion resistance, coefficient of friction, impact resistance, toughness, density, biocompatibility and biostability are some of the properties that make UHMWPE a suitable material for such implantation. Although UHMWPE has been used for implantation for many years, interest in the wear and durability of implants incorporating UHMWPE has continued.

  One method employed to improve the durability and other physical properties of UHMWPE implants is to expose such implants to radiation, such as gamma radiation or electron radiation, causing crosslinking within UHMWPE. Was that. Similar radiation sources have also been used to sterilize UHMWPE implants prior to distribution.

  While there are advantages to irradiating UHMWPE implants, the irradiation process can lead to increased oxidation rates in UHMWPE implants. In particular, irradiation has been shown to produce free radicals, which react in the presence of oxygen to form peroxy radicals. These free radicals and peroxy radicals can react with the polyethylene backbone and can react with each other to form oxidative degradation products and additional radical species. This cycle of oxidation product and radical species formation can occur over several years (before and after implantation) with increasing levels of oxidation within the implant.

One method that has been used to reduce oxidation in irradiated UHMWPE materials is to add a stabilizing component to the UHMWPE material to suppress the oxidation cycle. However, the addition of stabilizers or stabilizing components such as vitamin E to UHMWPE prior to irradiation has been shown to adversely affect crosslinking during irradiation.
Parth, et al., "Studies on the effect of electron beam radiation on the molecular structure of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene under the influence of α-tocopherol with respect to its applicaion in medical implants," Journal of Materials Science: Materials In Medicine, 13 (2002), pgs. See 917-921.

International Publication No. 2004/101009 Pamphlet US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0156879 US Pat. No. 6,448,315 US Pat. No. 6,277,390 US Pat. No. 6,641,617 US Pat. No. 6,853,772

Journal of Materials Science: M

    aters In Medicine, 13 (2002), pgs. 917-921

  For this reason, it has been proposed to add stabilizers to the UHMWPE material by diffusion after molding and irradiation. For example, see International Publication No. 2004/101009 pamphlet. However, there are some limitations to the addition of stabilizer after irradiation. For example, vitamin E diffusion can reduce the uniformity of stabilizer dispersion in UHMWPE compared to mixing prior to irradiation. Vitamin E diffusion may also require separate irradiation steps, such as an irradiation step to cause cross-linking prior to the addition of vitamin E and a subsequent irradiation step to disinfect the implant after the addition of vitamin E. is there.

  Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a method of forming a crosslinked UHMWPE material for use in an implant article that overcomes one or more of these limitations.

  In one embodiment, the present invention provides an implantable article formed from a cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”) blend. The cross-linked UHMWPE blend is obtained by mixing the UHMWPE material with a stabilizer, such as vitamin E and any other UHMWPE blends reported herein, and then the UHMWPE blend. For example, it may be prepared by irradiating at a dose rate sufficient to cause crosslinking by a suitable irradiation source such as electron beam irradiation. The resulting cross-linked UHMWPE blend may have a swell ratio of less than about 4, with at least about 0.02 w / w% vitamin E uniformly dispersed within at least the surface area of an article formed from the blend. Yes. According to the present invention, vitamin E may be uniformly dispersed to a depth of at least about 5 mm from the surface of the article. The cross-linked UHMWPE blends of the present invention may be incorporated within various implants, particularly endoprosthesis joint replacements.

  UHMWPE is a semi-crystalline, linear homopolymer of ethylene and can be produced by stereospecific polymerization using Ziegler-Natta catalyst at low pressure (6-8 bar) and low temperature (66-80 ° C.). Initial UHMWPE synthesis yields a fine powder. Molecular weight and its distribution can be controlled by process parameters such as temperature, time and pressure. UHMWPE typically has a molecular weight of at least about 2,000,000 g / mol.

  UHMWPE suitable for use as a raw material in the present invention may be in the form of a powder or a mixture of powders. UHMWPE material may be prepared almost entirely from UHMWPE powder or may be formed by mixing UHMWPE powder with other suitable polymer materials. In one embodiment, the UHMWPE material may comprise at least about 50 w / w% UHMWPE. Examples of suitable UHMWPE materials include GUR 1020 and GUR 1050, available from Ticona Engineering Polymers. Suitable polymeric materials for use in combination with UHMWPE may include non-entangled polyethylene, high pressure crystallized polyethylene and various other “super tough” polyethylene derivatives. In addition, biocompatible non-polyethylene polymers may also be suitable for use in certain embodiments.

  Suitable additives for UHMWPE materials include radiation opaque materials, antibacterial materials such as silver ions, antibacterial materials, and micro- and / or nanoparticles with various functions. Preservatives, colorants and other conventional additives may also be used.

Suitable stabilizers added to UHMWPE generally include materials that can be added in an effective amount relative to the UHMWPE material to at least partially inhibit the oxidation cycle that occurs upon irradiation with UHMWPE. Vitamin E is particularly suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention. Here, “vitamin E” generally indicates a tocopherol derivative containing α-tocopherol. Other suitable stabilizers may include phenolic antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene, and ascorbic acid.

Vitamin E stabilizer and UHMWPE material may be mixed by a number of known processes to form a UHMWPE blend. Such processes include physical mixing, mixing with solvents, mixing with solvents (eg, CO ₂ ) under supercritical temperature and pressure conditions, and ultrasonic mixing. These types of suitable mixing processes are also described, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,448,315 and US Pat. No. 6,277,390, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In one embodiment, vitamin E is dissolved in ethanol and added dropwise to the powdered UHMWPE material during mixing. The ethanol may then be removed using a vacuum dryer or similar device.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for preparing a UHMWPE implant, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for preparing a UHMWPE implant, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for preparing a UHMWPE implant, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for preparing a UHMWPE implant, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for preparing a UHMWPE implant, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a line graph illustrating the swell ratio of several UHMWPE samples at various dose rates as described in the examples. Figure 6 is a bar graph illustrating the TVI (4A) of several UHMWPE samples. Figure 5 is a bar graph illustrating the swell ratio (4B) of several UHMWPE samples. 2 is a bar graph illustrating the dissolved component (4C) of several UHMWPE samples. FIG. 5 is a line graph illustrating the concentration of vitamin E in the depth range of several UHMWPE samples. 1 is a prior art line graph showing the vitamin E index of a sample prepared in accordance with U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0156879. Figure 2 is a line graph showing the oxidation level of several UHMWPE samples at various depths. 2 is a bar graph showing the tensile strength of several UHMWPE samples. Figure 6 is a bar graph showing percent elongation at break for several UHMWPE samples. 2 is a bar graph showing the Charpy impact strength of several UHMWPE samples.

  1A-1C and 2A-2B are flowcharts illustrating a method of preparing an implant from UHMWPE according to an embodiment of the present invention. The general stages of treating an implant include solidifying / compressing the UHMWPE blend, crosslinking the UHMWPE blend, manufacturing the implant from the compressed UHMWPE blend, packaging the implant, and disinfecting the packaged implant. Including the steps of: As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2B, these steps may be performed in various orders, in multiple steps, or simultaneously according to embodiments of the invention.

  The UHMWPE blend may first be solidified and / or compressed into a form suitable for use as (or as part of) a prosthetic device or other implant. Suitable compression and / or solidification techniques include, for example, compression molding, direct compression molding, hot isostatic pressing, ram extrusion, high pressure crystallization, injection molding, sintering or other conventional to compress and / or solidify UHMWPE. Including the law. Optionally, the compressed / solidified UHMWPE blend may be ground, processed, drilled, cut, combined with other components, and / or other manufacturing steps conventionally used to manufacture implants from UHMWPE, or It may be further processed or manufactured by a preliminary manufacturing stage.

  Prior to and / or after treating the implants described above, the UHMWPE blend may be cross-linked by exposure to irradiation at high doses and / or dose rates to form a cross-linked UHMWPE blend. In one embodiment, the UHMWPE blend may be exposed to electron beam irradiation at a dose of at least about 25 kiloGrey, more particularly at a dose of at least about 80 kiloGrey, and more particularly at least about 95 kiloGrey. In other embodiments, the UHMWPE blend may be exposed to radiation at a dose rate of at least 1 MegaGrey per hour, more particularly at least about 15 MegaGrey per hour, and more particularly at least about 18 MegaGrey per hour. In certain embodiments, the desired irradiation dose may be achieved in a single exposure step at a high dose rate. In other embodiments, a series of high dose rate irradiation steps may be used to expose the UHMWPE blend to the desired irradiation dose.

  In some embodiments, the irradiation source is electron beam irradiation. Electron beam exposure may be performed using conventionally available electron beam accelerators. One commercial source of such accelerators is IBA Technologies Group, Belgium. Suitable accelerators may provide electron beam energy between about 2 and about 50 MeV, more specifically about 10 MeV, and generally provide one or more doses and / or dose rates as described herein. Can be achieved. Electron beam exposure may generally be performed in an inert atmosphere including, for example, argon, nitrogen, vacuum or a deoxygenated atmosphere. The exposure may be performed in air under ambient conditions according to one embodiment. Gamma and x-ray irradiation may also be suitable for use in other embodiments of the invention. What the present invention requires is not necessarily limited to a particular type of irradiation source.

  Optionally, the UHMWPE blend may be subjected to one or more temperature treatments before and / or after electron beam irradiation. In one embodiment, the UHMWPE blend may be heated to a temperature greater than room temperature, more particularly greater than about 100 ° C., and more particularly between about 120 ° C. and 130 ° C. Merril et al. US Pat. No. 6,641,617 reports in detail how to utilize such a temperature treatment step and is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the UHMWPE blend may be kept at room temperature, or may be cooled below room temperature, such as a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the UHMWPE blend. After irradiation, the cross-linked UHMWPE blend may be annealed at a temperature up to about 200 ° C. for up to about 72 hours, more specifically at about 150 ° C. for about 5 hours. Alternatively, or in addition, the cross-linked UHMWPE blend is subjected to a mechanical annealing process as reported in Muratoglu et al. US Pat. No. 6,853,772, incorporated herein by reference. You can do it. However, in some embodiments, no pre-irradiation or post-irradiation temperature treatment and / or annealing treatment is performed.

  As part of the implant manufacturing process, additional components may be combined with the UHMWPE blend at any time during the process reported here. In certain embodiments, tribological components such as, for example, metal and / or ceramic joint components and / or pre-assembled bipolar components may be combined with the UHMWPE blend. In other embodiments, metal support (eg, a plate or shield) may be added. In a further embodiment, surface components such as columnar metal, fibrous metal, beats, Sulmash® coating, mesh, mesh titanium and / or metal or polymer coating are added to the UHMWPE blend, or May be combined. Furthermore, radiomarkers or radiopacifiers such as tantalum, steel and / or titanium balls, wires, bolts or pegs may be added. Furthermore, fixing functions such as rings, bolts, pegs, snaps and / or cement / adhesives may be added. These additional components can be used to form sandwich-type implant designs, radio-marked implants, metal-based implants that prevent direct contact with bone, effective growth surfaces, and / or implants that have a fixation function. Good.

  Various implants, particularly endoprosthetic joint replacements, may be prepared using the methods reported herein. Examples of such implants include hips and knees, cups or liners for hips and knees, spinal replacement disks, artificial shoulders, elbows, feet, ankles and finger joints, mandible, And artificial heart bearings.

  After the manufacture of the implant is complete, it is packaged and sterilized before distribution. Packaging may generally be performed using either gas permeable packaging materials or barrier packaging materials that utilize a low oxygen atmosphere. Conventional gas permeable packaging materials may be suitable in embodiments of the present invention because the presence of vitamin E in the UHMWPE blend inhibits the oxidation cycle. Barrier packaging filled with an inert gas (eg, argon, nitrogen, oxygen scavenger) is also suitable.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2B, disinfection may be performed either by exposure to radiation during cross-linking of the UHMWPE blend or as part of a separate processing step. There are a number of conventional disinfection techniques including gas plasma disinfection, ethylene oxide disinfection, gamma irradiation disinfection and electron beam irradiation disinfection. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1C and 2B, the crosslinking is performed prior to packaging. In the embodiment described in FIGS. 1B and 2A, disinfection and crosslinking is performed by electron beam irradiation in a single stage after packaging the implant.

  Disinfection is generally performed after packaging. In some embodiments, disinfection is performed at the same time as crosslinking and thus utilizes electron beam irradiation. In embodiments where cross-linking occurs prior to disinfection, further suitable disinfection methods include gamma irradiation (either inert or in air), gas plasma exposure, or ethylene oxide exposure.

  As further illustrated in the examples described below, the cross-linked UHMWPE blends produced according to embodiments of the present invention may have several advantages. Obviously, such a blend exhibits a low level of oxidation while exhibiting a suitable level of crosslinking when compared to unstabilized UHMWPE materials. Using at least in part a high dose or a series of high dose rates contributes to the improved crosslink density of the UHMWPE blend, which makes it difficult to achieve a suitable crosslink density when irradiating with stabilized UHMWPE It is the opposite result to the report of the prior art which shows that.

  Such UHMWPE blends may also generally have a uniform distribution of vitamin E, at least in the surface area of the blend. As used herein, the term “surface region” refers to a region of a cross-linked UHMWPE blend that extends from the surface of the blend to a certain depth or to various depths. For example, an implant formed from a cross-linked UHMWPE blend of certain embodiments may exhibit a substantially uniform distribution of vitamin E to a surface depth of at least 3 mm, and more particularly at least 5 mm. In other embodiments, it may exhibit a substantially uniform distribution of vitamin E to a surface depth of at least 10 mm, more particularly at least 15 mm, and more particularly at least 20 mm. In a further embodiment, the UHMWPE blend may exhibit a substantially uniform distribution of vitamin E throughout the blend.

[Example]
Table 1 illustrates the processing parameters for samples A-I.

  As illustrated in Table 1, UHMWPE powders under the trade names GUR1020 and GUR1050 are available from Ticona GmbH, FrankfurtMain, DE. Vitamin E used in Samples C, D and F-H was α-tocopherol obtained from DSM Nutritional Products AG, Basel, Switzerland.

  For Samples C, D and F-H, α-tocopherol was dissolved in ethanol at a concentration of 50 g / l and mixed dropwise with UHMWPE using a Nauta-Vrieco brand screw-cone mixer. The ethanol was then removed from the UHMWPE blend in a vacuum oven at 50 ° C. for 6 hours, resulting in a UHMWPE blend with an α-tocopherol concentration of about 0.1 w / w%. The resulting UHMWPE blend was then sintered for 7 hours at 220 ° C. and 35 bar to produce UHMWPE plates with a thickness of 60 mm and a diameter of 600 mm. The homogeneity of α-tocopherol within the UHMWPE blend was measured by standard HPLC methods and found to have a maximum deviation of +/− 2% from the desired content.

Samples A, D and H are Studer IR-168 G utilizing a Co ⁶⁰ radiation source.
Irradiation was performed using an amma Irradiator. Samples EG and I were irradiated at a 120 kW power setting using a 10 MeV Rhodotron electron accelerator available from IBA SA, Louvain-La-Neuve.

[result]
FIG. 3 shows a line graph illustrating the swell ratio of unstabilized polyethylene and polyethylene blend stabilized with vitamin E in comparison. The swell ratio is an effective indicator of the crosslink density of a particular material. In particular, a low swell ratio is an indicator of a high level of crosslinking and vice versa. Swell ratios were measured according to ASTM F2214-02.
Specifically, 4-6 mm cubes of each of samples H, F, G, and E were placed in a container filled with o-xylene at 25 ° C., and a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA obtained from Perkin Elmer, Placed in DMA 7e) for 10 minutes. A first sample height (H ₀ ) was measured for each sample. Thereafter, the sample was heated to a holding temperature of 130 ° C. at a rate of 5 K / min. The second sample height (H _f ) was then measured after 120 minutes at 130 ° C. The swell ratio was then calculated according to the following formula:
q _s = (H _f / H ₀ ) ³

  Data points for the low level flat line include unstabilized UHMWPE (obtained from an interlaboratory comparison in ASTM F2214-02 at a dose rate of 89 kGy) and a swell ratio standard for unstabilized sample E. These data points indicate that dose rate has virtually no effect on crosslink density. The data points for the upper downward line contain samples H, F and G. Obviously, the increased dose rate used for Samples F and G, when compared to Sample H, results in a decrease in swell ratio and consequently an increase in crosslink density.

  4A-4C are three bar graphs illustrating some properties of Samples B, C, and E-H. FIG. 4A is a bar graph illustrating the trans-vinylene index (TVI) level of a sample. TVI was measured by the method described in Muratoglu et al., “Identification and quantification of irradiation in UHMWPE through trans-vinylene yield”. The TVI level is an index of the radiation absorption efficiency of UHMWPE. FIG. 4A shows that Samples E and F that were preheated prior to irradiation and annealed after irradiation had higher radiation absorption efficiency compared to the other samples.

  FIG. 4B is a bar graph illustrating the swell ratio of the same sample reported in FIG. 4A. Clearly, the gamma irradiated sample H shows a higher swell ratio (and hence lower crosslink density) than the electron irradiated samples E, F and G.

  FIG. 4C is a bar graph of dissolved components of the same sample as reported in FIG. 4A. The dissolved component represents the proportion of fully crosslinked material in the sample. The dissolved component of each sample was measured according to ASTM 2765-01. Specifically, the powdered UHMWPE was obtained by a rasping method from a position 10 mm below the sample surface. The sample was then weighed in a wire mesh and backfluxed in xylene for 12 hours. After the backflux, the remaining gel part was placed in a vacuum oven, dried at a temperature of 140 ° C. and a pressure of less than 200 mbar and prepared in a desiccant before weighing again. The resulting gel and dissolved parts were calculated by measuring the weight of the sample before and after the procedure. Sample H irradiated with gamma rays showed a higher dissolved component than Samples E, F and G irradiated with electron beams.

  FIG. 5 is a line graph showing the vitamin E content at various depths from the surface of samples C, F, G and H. FIG. 5 shows that a uniform vitamin E concentration is retained in each sample, at least in the surface area up to a measured depth of 20 mm. This uniform distribution of vitamin E is shown in FIG. 6 of the prior art reported in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0156879 (the vitamin E index of the diffused vitamin E sample gradually decreases with increasing depth). Especially when compared to).

  FIG. 7 is a line graph illustrating the oxidation levels of samples E, F, G and H. Obviously, the oxidation level at a certain depth from the surface of the sample material was compared to samples G and F (electron-irradiated), sample E (without vitamin E) and sample H (gamma-irradiated). ) Is high.

FIGS. 8-10 are a series of bar graphs illustrating various mechanical properties of samples A, D, E, F, G, H, and I. FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates the mechanical strength of each sample, and the preheating and annealing treatment method utilized in samples E, F, and I improves the mechanical strength compared to the cold irradiation method used in samples G and H. It shows schematically that it was slightly reduced. FIG. 9 illustrates the percent elongation at break for each sample. FIG. 10 illustrates the impact strength of each sample based on the Charpy impact scale (kJ / m ² ) and schematically shows that the presence of vitamin E increases the impact strength of crosslinked UHMWPE. A part of the embodiment of the present invention is described in the following items [1]-[26].
[1]
Mixing an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend and a predetermined amount of vitamin E to form an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
Solidifying the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
Preheating the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
Irradiating the solidified and preheated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend to crosslink the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
including,
A method of forming a crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend.
[2]
Item 2. The method of item 1, wherein the vitamin E is dispersed substantially uniformly throughout the blend.
[3]
The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of vitamin E mixed with the blend is between about 0.02 w / w% and about 2.0 w / w%.
[4]
The method of item 1, wherein the amount of vitamin E mixed with the blend is between about 0.05 w / w% and about 0.4 w / w%.
[5]
The method of claim 1, wherein the blend further comprises at least one additional polymeric material.
[6]
Item 2. The method according to Item 1, wherein the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is preheated at a temperature higher than room temperature.
[7]
The method of claim 1, wherein the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is preheated at a temperature greater than about 100 ° C.
[8]
The method of item 1, wherein the solidified ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene blend is preheated to a temperature of about 120 ° C to about 130 ° C.
[9]
The method of item 1, further comprising annealing the solidified and irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene blend at a temperature of about 200 ° C. or less.
[10]
The method of item 1, further comprising the step of annealing the solidified and irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene blend at a temperature of about 150 ° C. or less.
[11]
The method of item 1, further comprising the step of annealing the solidified and irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene blend at a temperature of about 50 ° C. or less.
[12]
Item 1. The solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is irradiated with an electron beam at an absorbed dose of at least about 60 kiloGrey and a dose rate of at least about 1 MegaGrey per hour to form the crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend. The method described in 1.
[13]
The solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is irradiated with an electron beam at an absorbed dose of at least about 95 kiloGrey and a dose rate of at least about 15 MegaGrey per hour to form the crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend. The method according to 1.
[14]
An implantable article comprising a crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend comprising:
The blend is
Mixing an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend and a predetermined amount of vitamin E to form an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
Solidifying the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
Preheating the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
Irradiating the solidified and preheated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend to crosslink the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
Produced by
Implantable article.
[15]
Item 15. The implantable item of item 14, wherein the vitamin E is substantially uniformly distributed throughout the blend.
[16]
15. The implantable article of item 14, wherein the amount of vitamin E mixed with the blend is between about 0.02 w / w% and about 2.0 w / w%.
[17]
15. The implantable article of item 14, wherein the amount of vitamin E mixed with the blend is between about 0.05 w / w% and about 0.4 w / w%.
[18]
15. The implantable article of item 14, wherein the blend further comprises at least one additional polymeric material.
[19]
Item 15. The implantable article of item 14, wherein the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is preheated at a temperature above about room temperature.
[20]
15. The implantable article of item 14, wherein the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is preheated at a temperature greater than about 100 ° C.
[21]
15. The implantable article of item 14, wherein the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is preheated to a temperature of about 120 ° C to about 130 ° C.
[22]
15. The implantable article of item 14, further comprising annealing the solidified and irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene blend at a temperature of about 200 ° C. or less.
[23]
15. The implantable article of item 14, further comprising annealing the solidified and irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene blend at a temperature of about 150 ° C. or less.
[24]
15. The implantable article of item 14, further comprising annealing the solidified and irradiated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend at a temperature of about 50 ° C. or less.
[25]
The solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is irradiated with an electron beam at an absorbed dose of at least about 60 kiloGrey and a dose rate of at least about 1 MegaGrey per hour to form the crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend. 14. The implantable article according to 14.
[26]
Item 14 wherein the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is irradiated with an electron beam at an absorbed dose of at least about 95 kiloGrey and a dose rate of at least about 15 MegaGrey per hour to form the crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend. The implantable article according to 1.

Claims (5)

Preheating a solidified blend of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and vitamin E to a temperature above room temperature to form a solidified and preheated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
The solidified and preheated ultra- high molecular weight polyethylene blend is irradiated with an electron beam at an absorbed dose of at least 95 kiloGrey and a dose rate of at least 15 MegaGrey per hour , solidified and preheated Crosslinking the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend;
Annealing the irradiated polyethylene blend at a temperature below 150C .
A method of forming a crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend.   The method of claim 1, wherein the vitamin E is uniformly dispersed throughout the solidified and crosslinked high molecular weight polyethylene blend by irradiation.   The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of vitamin E in the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is between 0.02 w / w% and 2.0 w / w%. The method of claim 1, wherein the solidified ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend is preheated to a temperature between room temperature and 130 ° C.   The method of claim 1, wherein the crosslinked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene blend has a swell ratio of less than 4. 5.

Images