摘要 |
A prefabricated medical implant made of polymeric material having increased wear resistance without substantially changing its ductility and other physical properties is described. The implant is formed by a method including the steps of heating a sealed, packaged, prefabricated implant, having a reduced oxygen atmosphere, to an elevated temperature below its annealing point at a predetermined rate and held at that temperature for a predetermined time. After this time the packaged implant, while being maintained in a predetermined temperature range, is irradiated with a predetermined amount of gamma radiation. After irradiation, the implant is permitted to cool at a predetermined rate. Thermal conductive and thermal insulation containers are also provided for holding the packaged implants during the process.
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