Patents by Inventor Harry A. McKellop

Harry A. McKellop has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20040266902
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Fu-Wen Shen, Harry A. McKellop, Ronald Salovey
  • Publication number: 20040208841
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald Salovey, Harry A. McKellop, Fu-Wen Shen
  • Patent number: 6800670
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignees: Orthopaedic Hospital, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Fu-Wen Shen, Harry A. McKellop, Ronald Salovey
  • Publication number: 20030212161
    Abstract: The present invention presents methods for making oxidation-resistant and wear-resistant polyethylenes and medical implants made therefrom. Preferably, the implants are components of prosthetic joints, e.g., a bearing component of an artificial hip or knee joint. The resulting oxidation-resistant and wear-resistant polyethylenes and implants are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Harry A McKellop, Fu-Wen Shen
  • Publication number: 20030158287
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald Salovey, Harry A. McKellop, Fu-Wen Shen
  • Publication number: 20030045603
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: The Orthopaedic Hospital and University of Southern California
    Inventors: Ronald Salovey, Harry A. McKellop, Fu-Wen Shen
  • Patent number: 6494917
    Abstract: A method for improving the wear resistance of an implant, made of polyethylene, by crosslinking its bearing surface layer, while leaving its non-bearing interior uncrosslinked. Such crosslinking may be achieved by electron-beam irradiation or by chemical crosslinking of the implant or the polyethylene from which the implant is made. The resulting implant or polyethylene may be further treated to remove the residual free radicals (generated by the electron beam crosslinking process); to remove residual chemicals (generated by the chemical crosslinking process); to remove its most oxidized layer; to stabilize its size and shape; to improve, by remelting, its oxidation resistance; and/or to reshape it into the final implant. Also presented are the resulting implant and polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignees: Orthopaedic Hospital, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Harry A. McKellop, Fu-Wen Shen
  • Publication number: 20020037944
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: The Orthopaedic Hospital
    Inventors: Fu-Wen Shen, Harry A. McKellop, Ronald Salovey
  • Publication number: 20010049401
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: The Orthopaedic Hospital and University of Southern California
    Inventors: Ronald Salovey, Harry A. McKellop, Fu-Wen Shen
  • Patent number: 6281264
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers by crosslinking them, especially before irradiation sterilization. In particular, this invention presents the use of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in in vivo implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignees: The Orthopaedic Hospital, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Ronald Salovey, Harry A. McKellop, Fu-Wen Shen
  • Patent number: 6228900
    Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: The Orthopaedic Hospital and University of Southern California
    Inventors: Fu-Wen Shen, Harry A. McKellop, Ronald Salovey