AN ANTIOXIDANT STABILIZED CROSSLINKED ULTRA-HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE FOR MEDICAL DEVICE APPLICATIONS

摘要

The present invention provides a method for processing a blend comprising UHMWPE for use in medical applications. The method comprising processing a blend comprising UHMWPE and 0.01 to 3.0 weight percent of an antioxidant to consolidate the blend, the consolidated blend having a melting point. Preheating the consolidated blend to a preheat temperature above room temperature and below the melting point of the consolidated blend. Irradiating the consolidated blend while maintaining the consolidated blend at a temperature below the melting point of the consolidated blend. The present invention also provides a crosslinked UHMWPE blend for use in medical implants prepared by a process comprising the steps of processing a blend comprising UHMWPE and 0.01 to 3.0 weight percent of an antioxidant to consolidate the blend, the consolidated blend having a melting point. Preheating the consolidated blend to a preheat temperature above room temperature and below the melting point of the consolidated blend, irradiating the consolidated blend with a total irradiation dose of at least 100 kGy while maintaining the consolidated blend at a temperature below the melting point of the consolidated blend.