Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making cross-linked, oxidatively stable, and highly crystalline polymeric materials. The invention also provides methods of treating irradiation-cross-linked antioxidant-containing polymers and materials used therewith.

Abstract: Femoral heads, mobile inserts, acetabular components, and modular junctions for orthopedic implants, e.g., hip replacement implants, and methods of using femoral heads, mobile inserts, acetabular components, and modular junctions for orthopedic implants are provided. Prosthetic femoral heads, mobile inserts, and acetabular components are provided that can alleviate soft tissue impingement, reduce implant wear, and/or reduce frictional torque. Modular junctions are provided that can minimize the incidence of loosening and micromotion that can occur at modular junctions of orthopedic implants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making cross-linked, oxidatively stable, and highly crystalline polymeric materials. The invention also provides methods of treating irradiation-cross-linked antioxidant-containing polymers and materials used therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making cross-linked oxidation-resistant polymeric materials and preventing or minimizing in vivo elution of antioxidant from the antioxidant-containing polymeric materials. The invention also provides methods of doping polymeric materials with a spatial control of cross-linking and antioxidant distribution, for example, vitamin E (?-Tocopherol), and methods for extraction/elution of antioxidants, for example, vitamin E (?-tocopherol), from surface regions of antioxidant-containing polymeric materials, and materials used therewith also are provided.

Abstract: Methods of making oxidation and wear resistant polymeric materials using peroxide cross-linking and high temperature melting process are disclosed. A multiple step procedure for enabling the manufacturing of such material without size limitations is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of chemically cross-linking antioxidant-stabilized polymeric material are provided. In one example embodiment, peroxide cross-linking can be used to improve wear resistance and the addition of antioxidant can be used to improve oxidation resistance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. A balance between the amounts of peroxide(s) and antioxidant(s) in the polymeric material can ensure that enough cross-linking is achieved for wear reduction and that enough antioxidant is incorporated for improved long-term oxidative stability. In one example embodiment, peroxide(s) can be diffused into a consolidated polymeric material for cross-linking. In another embodiment, polymeric material is consolidated with a vinyl silane, an antioxidant, and a free radical initiator, and the consolidated polymeric material is contacted with water thereby forming an oxidation resistant, cross-linked polymeric material.

Abstract: The invention provides fabricated tough hydrogels, hydrogel-containing compositions, and methods of making the same. The invention also provides methods of implanting or administering the tough hydrogels, or the hydrogel-containing compositions to treat a subject in need. Methods of cross-linking pre-solidified or pre-gelled hydrogel particles and making crosslinked tough hydrogels, and crosslinked tough hydrogel-containing compositions also are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making highly crystalline polymeric material, for example, highly crystalline cross-linked and not cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making additive-doped highly crystalline polymeric material using high pressure and high temperature crystallization processes, medical implants made thereof, and materials used therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making wear and oxidation resistant polymeric materials by high temperature melting. The invention also provides methods of making medical implants containing cross-linked antioxidant-containing tough and ductile polymers and materials used therewith also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making highly crystalline cross-linked polymeric material, for example, highly crystalline cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped highly crystalline cross-linked polymeric material using high pressure and high temperature crystallization processes, medical implants made thereof, and materials used therein.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for knee joint replacement with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) substitution. Generally, the methods and devices can allow a knee joint to be partially or totally replaced in conjunction with substitution of the knee joint's ACL. In one embodiment, a knee replacement prosthesis can include a medial or lateral femoral implant, a femoral intercondylar notch structure, a medial or lateral tibial insert, and an ACL-substitution member. The ACL-substitution member can be configured to engage with the femoral intercondylar notch structure during a full range of knee motion and/or during only early knee flexion.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for knee joint replacement with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) substitution. Generally, the methods and devices can allow a knee joint to be partially or totally replaced in conjunction with substitution of the knee joint's ACL. In one embodiment, a knee replacement prosthesis can include a medial or lateral femoral implant, a femoral intercondylar notch structure, a medial or lateral tibial insert, and an ACL-substitution member. The ACL-substitution member can be configured to engage with the femoral intercondylar notch structure during a full range of knee motion and/or during only early knee flexion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

Abstract: A method of making a creep resistant, highly lubricious, tough hydrogel includes the steps of preparing a first solution including polyacrylamide-co-acrylic acid and another polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol), and introducing a second solution a gellant into the first solution to form the hydrogel. The first solution can be heated to a first temperature above room temperature, and the combination of the first solution and the second solution can be cooled to a second temperature at or below room temperature. The hydrogel can be used for cartilage repair or in an interpositional device that requires mechanical integrity, high water content, and excellent lubricity in order to fully function under the high stress environment in the joint space and withstand high loads of human joints.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making wear and oxidation resistant polymeric materials by high temperature melting. The invention also provides methods of making medical implants containing cross-linked antioxidant-containing tough and ductile polymers and materials used therewith also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant homogenized polymeric materials and medical implants that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and annealing the anti-oxidant doped UHMWPE in a super critical fluid, and materials used therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion, post-doping annealing, and materials used therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.