Abstract: The invention is a prosthetic joint, for example, knee joint, including a first joint component which is preferably polyetheretherketone containing barium sulphate and a second joint component which is preferably a polyolefin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthopaedic implant comprising a surface arranged to contact bone in a human or animal body. The surface of said implant comprises a polymeric material which includes a repeat unit of general formula The polymeric material is polyetheretherketone, and said surface is a plasma treated surface.

Abstract: A framework for a removable, partial or complete prosthodontic device is made by machining, using a CAD/CAM technique, a disc 2, made from polyetheretherketone, to define the framework 4. Prosthetic teeth and gums can be secured to the framework to define the prosthodontic device.

Abstract: An IM nail is positioned within a medullary canal and secured in position by bone screws. The nail includes bores which engage insert assemblies and engage the screws. Each insert assembly is in two parts. Part includes a head and a narrower neck; and similarly, part includes a head and a narrower neck. A bore extends through the assembly from one side to the other. Part of the assembly is engaged with a nail by insertion into the nail via mouth; and part is engaged with the nail by insertion into the nail via mouth. When in position the parts abut one another and define bore which can receive screws. The nail is made from a polyetheretherketone (PEEK)/carbon fibre composite. Parts of the insert assemblies are produced separately from the nail. They may be produced by injection moulding a polymeric composition comprising PEEK and barium sulphate.

Abstract: A medical device comprises parts made by injection moulding and parts made by machining such that the respective parts have similar colors, measured on the L*, a*, b* scale. The parts made by injection moulding may be made in a process which involves introducing molten material comprising polymeric material such as PEEK into a mould, wherein a mould surface which contacts the molten material is at a temperature of at least 210° C. and maintaining the molten material in the mould for at least 90 seconds.

Abstract: An upright column is packed with particles of a first material so the particles touch one another and a network of voids is defined between the particles. The network will be substantially continuous. A second material is then introduced into the column so the second material penetrates the network and fills the voids. The mixture of first and second materials is then consolidated using heat to melt the first or second material, while the other one of the first or second material remains in a solid state and acts as a space holder. Thereafter, the material which acts as the space holder may be removed thereby to leave a substantially continuous porous network defined by the material which was melted. It is found that, by use of the method, a substantially continuous network of the material which is melted can be formed and that the other material can readily be removed and/or is more easily removed compared to if a mixture of first and second materials was formed prior to packing in a column or mold.

Abstract: An upright column is packed with particles of a first material so the particles touch one another and a network of voids is defined between the particles. The network will be substantially continuous. A second material is then introduced into the column so the second material penetrates the network and fills the voids. The mixture of first and second materials is then consolidated using heat to melt the first or second material, whilst the other one of the first or second material remains in a solid state and acts as a space holder. Thereafter, the material which acts as the space holder may be removed thereby to leave a substantially continuous porous network defined by the material which was melted. It is found that, by use of the method, a substantially continuous network of the material which is melted can be formed and that the other material can readily be removed and/or is more easily removed compared to if a mixture of first and second materials was formed prior to packing in a column or mould.

Abstract: Topographical features, such as projections or recesses, having a maximum dimension which is less than 3 ?m, with the features being separated by a distance which is less than 10 ?m are transferred to polyetheretherketone, on an industrial scale, by injection moulding relatively low viscosity PEEK, using a mould in which is arranged a master structure which carries the desired topography. The topographical features increase the water contact angle of a surface which includes them and such a modified surface has been shown to influence cell attachment and differentiation. Parts which incorporate the topographical features may be used in medical devices such as implantable medical devices for cardiology or for neuromodulation.

Abstract: Granules or pellets comprising polymeric materials such as polyaryletherketones and ceramic materials may be prepared and used to make a variety of different parts of components for use in medical applications, by melt-processing. The ceramic material may be a bioactive glass and/or a controlled-release glass, and may include less than 20 mole % sodium oxide and/or be water soluble.

Abstract: A medical device comprises parts made by injection moulding and parts made by machining such that the respective parts have similar colours, measured on the L*, a*, b* scale. The parts made by injection moulding may be made in a process which involves introducing molten material comprising polymeric material such as PEEK into a mould, wherein a mould surface which contacts the molten material is at a temperature of at least 210° C. and maintaining the molten material in the mould for at least 90 seconds.

Abstract: There are provided methods of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material. In one embodiment the method comprises: (a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. Also provided are components comprising a polymeric material and a bioactive material.

Abstract: A titanium body (2) of a femoral nail incorporates an opening (3) leading into a hollow region (4) which defines a cavity in which electronics may be incorporated. A potting compound overlays the electronics, within the region (4). A 100 to 150 ?m thick cover (18) made from polyetheretherketone is arranged to overlay the opening (3) and close the hollow region (4). The cover (18) is made from flat polyetheretherketone film of suitable thickness which is heat shrunk onto a former and then machined to define the desired shape.

Abstract: An enclosure of an active implantable device comprises a composite material which comprises a first layer of a polyetheretherketone film, a second layer of polyetheretherketone film (8) and, sandwiched between, a third layer comprising titanium. The arrangement may be provided in various embodiments such as comprising housing halves (70,72) and a lid (74), each being made of the three layers described. In one embodiment, a communications window may be provided which has a thinner layer of titanium, to facilitate communications between the outside and electrical components positioned within the enclosure.

Abstract: The use of barium sulphate for increasing the impact strength of a polyaryletherketone and/or a polyarylethersulphone involves compounding the barium sulphate with the polymeric material and including water in the composition prepared. The material may be used in implantable prostheses.

Abstract: Granules or pellets comprising polymeric materials such as polyaryletherketones and ceramic materials may be prepared and used to make a variety of different parts of components for use in medical applications, by melt-processing. The ceramic material may be a bioactive glass and/or a controlled-release glass, and may include less than 20 mole % sodium oxide and/or be water soluble.

Abstract: Pellets or granules comprise polymeric material, for example polyetheretherketone and a fugitive material, for example sodium chloride. The granules may be used in injection moulding to produce shapes for use in medical implants and may conveniently be used to form parts which are partially porous, or to prepare porous films.

Abstract: An assembly comprises first and second parts which bear against one another, wherein said first part comprises a polyetherketone and said second part comprises a polyetherketone. The parts bear against one another such that one or both of the parts may have a tendency to wear and/or produce wear debris by virtue of contact between the parts. The materials used, however, minimise wear and the production of such wear debris.

Abstract: An assembly comprises first and second parts which bear against one another, wherein said first part comprises a polyetherketoneketone and said second part comprises a polyetherketoneketone. The parts bear against one another such that one or both of the parts may have a tendency to wear and/or produce wear debris by virtue of contact between the parts. The materials used, however, minimise wear and the production of such wear debris.

Abstract: An assembly, for example for a reconstructive joint of the human body, comprises first and second parts which bear against one another. The first and second parts may both comprise a first polymeric material which is preferably polyetheretherketone in combination with carbon fibre.

Abstract: A fiducial marker which is visible to a wide range of imaging techniques, comprises a radiopaque material, such as barium sulphate or a metal wire, encapsulated in a biocompatible polymeric material, for example a polyaryletherketone such as polyetheretherketone.