Method of improving the performance of a prosthetic bearing element

摘要

A method of making a prosthetic bearing element which comprises a backing made from a "rigid" polymeric bearing material which has a minimum hardness value of 65 N/mm<2> and which supports a bearing liner having a bearing surface and made from a "soft" elastomeric polyurethane material having a hardness value of 3.0 to 9.0 N/mm<2> (using machine testing method BS 2782; Pt3 method 365D) characterised in that the opacity of said bearing liner is arranged to allow the passage of a laser beam through it and the opacity of said backing is arranged to prevent the passage of said laser beam which has passed through said bearing liner, bonding the backing to the bearing liner and then treating the bearing liner and backing with said laser beam to cause improved fusion by laser welding.