Methods of improving the wear resistance of prosthetic medical devices

摘要

A prosthetic medical device exhibiting improved wear resistance is fabricated by irradiating at least one polyolefinic material in the presence of an inert atmosphere to yield a cross-linked irradiated polyolefinic material; blending at least one non-irradiated polyolefinic material with the at least one irradiated polyolefinic material, and forming the prosthetic medical device from the blended material. Selectively cross-linked polymeric compositions may be created by blending a specific amount of cross-linked resins with a specific amount of uncross-linked resins then cured into a polymeric matrix whereby the desired degree or percentage of overall cross-linking is obtained. The polymeric material may then be formed directly into a finished article by injection molding the polymeric material.