| 摘要 |
Implantable articles, such as bone prostheses, are prepared by casting techniques and have incorporated therein fluid communicating passageways. The internal fluid communicating passageways convey synovial fluid from a joint space to the articulation surface of an artificial joint. The presence of synovial fluid at the articulation surface provides sufficient lubricity to the joint and enables artificial joints to utilize metal/metal, metal/ceramic, and ceramic/ceramic articulation couples without the need for a low friction polymeric lining material. Accordingly, artificial joint components formed according to the present invention are less likely to develop wear debris. The implantable articles are formed by a casting process from casting molds that are prepared using a three dimensional printing technique. <IMAGE> |
