Crosslinked and Thermally Treated Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for Joint Replacements

2004 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Joint Replacements ◽  
Ultra High Molecular Weight ◽  
Thermally Treated

The yielding, plastic flow, and fracture behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene used in total joint replacements

Biomaterials ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (21) ◽  
pp. 1989-2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Kurtz ◽  
Lisa Pruitt ◽  
Charles W. Jewett ◽  
R. Paul Crawford ◽  
Deborah J. Crane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Plastic Flow ◽  
Fracture Behavior ◽  
Joint Replacements ◽  
Total Joint Replacements ◽  
Ultra High Molecular Weight

scholarly journals Surface Treatment of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) by Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) for Biocompatibility Enhancement

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1703
Author(s):  
Jack Turicek ◽  
Nicole Ratts ◽  
Matey Kaltchev ◽  
Nazieh Masoud
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Contact Angle ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Water Contact Angle ◽  
Plasma Source ◽  
Atmospheric Plasma ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Artificial Joints ◽  
Joint Replacements ◽  
Ultra High Molecular Weight

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is one of the most commonly used polymers in joint replacements because of its biologically inert properties and low friction coefficient. However, it has downfalls relating to its wear, adhesion, and lubrication. In this study, UHMWPE samples were treated with a tubular helium cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) plasma source in order to improve three properties of the polymer: (1) its wear resistance, which was characterized by durometer hardness, (2) its lubrication characterized by water contact angle, and (3) its adhesion characterized by both root mean square surface roughness (Rq) and water contact angle. The polymer was treated by two different parts of the plasma plume (the base and the tip) at two different helium flow rates (1 L/min and 2.5 L/min), for different treatment times. Results of the plasma treatment showed a decrease in the contact angle of between 32 and 54 degrees, a significant increase in the roughness by up to 10 times the pristine surface, and no substantial change in the hardness. These improvements to the adhesion and lubrication properties of the polymer examined suggest that the treated surface could be more suitable for use in artificial joints.

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