Original ArticlesA novel method of cross-linking ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene to improve wear, reduce oxidation, and retain mechanical properties: Recipient of the 1999 HAP Paul Award*,**,*,**
Section snippets
Materials and methods
In the present study, various properties of a highly cross-linked UHMWPE were compared with those of conventional (control) UHMWPE. We selected as the control a widely used contemporary form of UHMWPE (ie, gamma sterilized in nitrogen). The cross-linking method and the details of the analytic testing used are described subsequently.
The cross-linking was carried out with cylindric test samples in the form of disks (9 cm in diameter and 4 cm in thickness), which were machined from ram-extruded
Results
Table 1 lists the data on the wear and creep measurements of the WIAM and control liners as tested on the Boston hip simulator.The wear data are presented in Fig. 2 as a comparison of the average weight change of the WIAM cross-linked UHMWPE acetabular liners with that of the control liners for 22- and 28-mm femoral head sizes.
Discussion
The 3 most important material properties of UHMWPE for surgical use in acetabular reconstruction are wear resistance, oxidation resistance, and mechanical properties of the material. Any changes in UHMWPE must be examined to ensure that in the effort to obtain increased wear resistance or improved long-term oxidative stability, the mechanical properties are acceptable in terms of device safety.
The wear behavior of the WIAM UHMWPE was studied in the form of an acetabular liner, using simulated
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†Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
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This article is the recipient of the 1999 HAP Paul Award.
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Funds were received in partial support of the research material described in this article from the William H. Harris Foundation and Sulzer Orthopaedics.
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Reprint requests: Orhun K. Muratoglu, PhD, Orthopaedic Biomechanics and Biomaterials Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, GRJ 1206, Boston, MA 02114.