Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for curing polymeric dental appliances comprised of partially cured photopolymerizable components, especially for additively manufactured denture base and artificial tooth components utilized in the production of full and partial dental prostheses. In particular, the invention relates to methods of utilizing a curing apparatus having one or more controllable heating sources and one or more controllable LED light sources to achieve specific preheating and light curing conditions for more effectively converting partially cured photopolymerizable components from a partially cured state to a final cured state.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a polymer and/or polymer composite based sleeve to be fitted between an extended body, such the neck, trunnion, and/or stem of a hip implant, and a receiving body, such as a femoral head in a hip implant, that reduces wear, decreases toxic material from wear debris, enhances the mechanical connection of the extension and receiving body, reduces or eliminates impingement with receiving body, delocalize stress concentrations, and may also serve as a modifying junction between an extension and receiving body of unmatched size. The polymeric based sleeve presently disclosed comprises an inert and/or biologically favorable material which may be used in its virgin form or contain biocompatible additives. In order to best match patient and implant requirements, modifications may be made in the length, thickness, composition, as well as the presence of a taper, or lack thereof, in order to be compatible with existing devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions containing polymer matrix, fiber and/or additives which are suitable for load bearing applications for medical devices. The matrix can be formed from a group of polymers which resorb inside the body after implantation. These compositions contain reinforcing fibers that are incorporated into a resorbable polymer matrix to improve properties such as mechanical. The reinforcing fibers can be resorbable, non-resorbable, natural, or metallic. Additives can be incorporated into the matrix material or the fibers or both to provide a secondary effect. These additives can be bioceramics to provide an osteoconductive effect; antimicrobial particles such as silver; coloring agents, and radiopaque additives to make the implants visible under fluoroscopy. The additives may also contribute to improve mechanical properties.

Abstract: This invention relates to the composition of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable fillers. The invention further relates to processing of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable fillers. The invention relates also to the use of such materials for applications in fast degradation applications. The invention also relates to the composition of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable for making shape memory materials. This invention also related to the processing of such materials by extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, solvent mixing, and additive manufacturing. The invention also relates to the use of such materials as bone filler, vascular closure and other hemostasis devices, aneurysms, and stent applications. The invention also relates to the use of such materials as drug delivery platforms.

Abstract: This invention relates to the synthesis of multi-block bioresorbable polymers bearing hard and soft polymeric segments. The invention further relates to bioresorbable polymers for shape memory properties. The invention also relates to the use of such polymers as bone filler, vascular closure devices, hemostasis device, aneurysms, mastectomy devices and stent applications. The invention relates also to the use of such polymers for applications in fast degradation applications and 3D printing. The invention also relates to the use of such polymers as drug delivery platforms applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions containing polymer matrix, fiber and/or additives which are suitable for load bearing applications for medical devices. The matrix can be formed from a group of polymers which resorb inside the body after implantation. These compositions contain reinforcing fibers that are incorporated into a resorbable polymer matrix to improve properties such as mechanical. The reinforcing fibers can be resorbable, non-resorbable, natural, or metallic. Additives can be incorporated into the matrix material or the fibers or both to provide a secondary effect. These additives can be bioceramics to provide an osteoconductive effect; antimicrobial particles such as silver; coloring agents, and radiopaque additives to make the implants visible under fluoroscopy. The additives may also contribute to improve mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to bioresorbable polymer blend compositions with tunable mechanical properties for manufacturing medical devices. These blends are multicomponent blends, comprise multiple polymer components and may or may not require additives in the form of fibers or particles for the potential enhancement of mechanical and/or biological properties.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a polymeric based femoral and/or tibial component implant to be used in total knee replacement/arthroplasty procedures serving to provide increased wear resistance, enhanced physiological response at the bone/implant interface, and decreased stress-shielding. The implant can be made via additive manufacturing. The articulating surface of the implant may be implemented in without any additive or in a form containing an additive for improved tribological response. Further, the device disclosed herein contains an interfacial surface which is in contact with the native bone (i.e., bone/implant interface) which may exist in its pure form, containing a bioactive additive. The implant has a porous morphology on the bone/implant interface for improved biological response and improved fixation. The depth of the additives and the topographical morphology therein are controlled via techniques disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to the synthesis of multi-block bioresorbable polymers bearing hard and soft polymeric segments. The invention further relates to bioresorbable polymers for shape memory properties. The invention also relates to the use of such polymers as bone filler, vascular closure devices, hemostasis device, aneurysms, mastectomy devices and stent applications. The invention relates also to the use of such polymers for applications in fast degradation applications and 3D printing. The invention also relates to the use of such polymers as drug delivery platforms applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to the composition of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable fillers. The invention further relates to processing of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable fillers. The invention relates also to the use of such materials for applications in fast degradation applications. The invention also relates to the composition of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable for making shape memory materials. This invention also related to the processing of such materials by extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, solvent mixing, and additive manufacturing. The invention also relates to the use of such materials as bone filler, vascular closure and other hemostasis devices, aneurysms, and stent applications. The invention also relates to the use of such materials as drug delivery platforms.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising thermoplastic polymeric material such as polyaryletherketones (PAEKs) and inorganic additive species serving to increase the processing and resultant mechanical, thermal, and biological properties of said thermoplastic polymeric material which may be subsequently used in various medical applications after the two materials are mixed through thermal processing methods. The inorganic additive species may be a calcium salt, and may include fluorine ions.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a polymer and/or polymer composite based sleeve to be fitted between an extended body, such the neck, trunnion, and/or stem of a hip implant, and a receiving body, such as a femoral head in a hip implant, that reduces wear, decreases toxic material from wear debris, enhances the mechanical connection of the extension and receiving body, reduces or eliminates impingement with receiving body, delocalize stress concentrations, and may also serve as a modifying junction between an extension and receiving body of unmatched size. The polymeric based sleeve presently disclosed comprises an inert and/or biologically favorable material which may be used in its virgin form or contain biocompatible additives. In order to best match patient and implant requirements, modifications may be made in the length, thickness, composition, as well as the presence of a taper, or lack thereof, in order to be compatible with existing devices.

Abstract: A method for detecting and removing foreign particles in polymeric resin powder comprising drying the resin powder; removing static energy from the resin powder; producing a layer of resin powder 0.2 to 0.8 mm in height in a feeding tray which feeds a conveyor; conveying the layer of resin powder with a transparent conveyor belt at a speed of between 12.2 and 36.64 meters/minute into a foreign particle detection zone; illuminating the polymeric resin powder in the detection zone from above and below with a light; continuously imaging the resin powder from above with a high speed digital CCD camera; continuously analyzing the images with a control device to detect particles having nonwhite colors; and actuating a suction system with the controller to suction off any detected particles to produce a polymeric resin powder having a reduced number of foreign particles.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic implant device having a porous outer surface is described. In one embodiment, the implant device includes a porous layer, an intermediate layer, and a solid substrate. The porous layer is preferably bonded to the intermediate layer by cold isostatic pressing. The intermediate layer is preferably bonded by vacuum welding to the solid substrate such that the porous layer forms at least a portion of the outer surface of the orthopaedic implant device. Preferably, a diffusion bond is created between the bonded intermediate layer and the solid substrate by hot isostatic pressing. In another embodiment, a porous layer is created on an outer surface of a solid layer by selective melting. Preferably, the solid layer is bonded to the solid substrate such that the porous layer forms at least a portion of the outer surface of the orthopaedic implant device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an orthopaedic implant device having a porous outer surface is described. In one embodiment, the implant device includes a porous layer, an intermediate layer, and a solid substrate. The porous layer is preferably bonded to the intermediate layer by cold isostatic pressing. The intermediate layer is preferably bonded by vacuum welding to the solid substrate such that the porous layer forms at least a portion of the outer surface of the orthopaedic implant device. Preferably, a diffusion bond is created between the bonded intermediate layer and the solid substrate by hot isostatic pressing. In another embodiment, a porous layer is created on an outer surface of a solid layer by selective melting. Preferably, the solid layer is bonded to the solid substrate such that the porous layer forms at least a portion of the outer surface of the orthopaedic implant device.

Abstract: A medical implant component and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The medical implant component may comprise a substrate having a bearing portion, in which at least the bearing portion has a coating of at least 25 micrometers of a predetermined material. The predetermined material of the coating may include chromium ceramic having a chromium component which releases less than approximately 7 parts of hexavalent chromium per billion parts of water solution when the medical implant component is immersed in approximately 500 milliliters of water for approximately one week at a temperature in a range of room temperature to just below a boiling point of the water at atmospheric pressure. The residual stress of the coating may be less than approximately 100,000 pounds per square inch. The chromium ceramic may be a chromium oxide, a chromium carbide, a chromium nitride, or a chromium boride, or any combination thereof.