The present invention generally provides implantable articles and methods of forming implantable articles from a crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE”) blend stabilized with Vitamin E. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be prepared by combining the UHMWPE material and vitamin E prior to irradiating the UHMWPE blend with electron beam radiation at a sufficient radiation dose rate to induce crosslinking. The crosslinked UHMWPE blend may be incorporated into a variety of implants, and in particular, into endoprosthetic joint replacements.

Methods are provided herein for modifying antigenic carbohydrate epitopes within a xenographic bioprosthetic tissue by oxidation of vicinal diols to form aldehydes or acids and subsequence reductive amination of aldehydes to form stable secondary amines, or amidation or esterification of acids to form stable amides or esters. Advantageously, methods provided herein mitigate the antigenicity of the bioprosthetic tissue while leaving the overall tissue structure substantially undisturbed, and thereby enhance the durability, safety and performance of the bioprosthetic implant.

This invention related to a method of forming a polymer component and comprises blending polymer particles with antioxidant to form a mixture in which the antioxidant coats the polymer particles, irradiating the polymer particles to cross-link the polymer particles therein and forming the irradiated mixture into a consolidated component. The invention also relates to a method of forming an articular surface for a prosthesis and a prosthesis having a polymer articular bearing surface wherein at least one predetermined portion of the bearing surface is provided with cross-linked polymer bonds.

The present invention relates to methods for making wear and oxidation resistant polymeric materials by high temperature melting. The invention also provides methods of making medical implants containing cross-linked antioxidant-containing tough and ductile polymers and materials used therewith also are provided.

A method for preparing a highly elastic biodegradable three-dimensional structure includes (a) mixing poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) with at least one biocompatible heat stabilizer that is biocompatible with the PLCL, that is a heat stabilizer for the PLCL, and that is selected from the group consisting of α-tocopherol, barium-zinc, calcium-zinc, vitamin B, and combinations thereof to provide a solvent-free mixture; and (b) carrying out three-dimensional printing with the solvent-free mixture by heating the mixture at 150-250° C. for 5-20 minutes to provide a heated mixture; and ejecting the heated mixture through a nozzle. The three-dimensional structure maintains mechanical properties even after three-dimensional printing, by adding a biocompatible heat stabilizer to poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone). The three-dimensional structure is useful as a scaffold for tissue engineering.

The present invention relates to methods for making wear and oxidation resistant polymeric materials by high temperature melting. The invention also provides methods of making medical implants containing cross-linked antioxidant-containing tough and ductile polymers and materials used therewith also are provided.

The three-dimensional lattice structures disclosed herein have applications including use in medical implants. Some examples of the lattice structure are structural in that they can be used to provide structural support or mechanical spacing. In some examples, the lattice can be configured as a scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell.

The three-dimensional lattice structures disclosed herein have applications including use in medical implants. Some examples of the lattice structure are structural in that they can be used to provide structural support or mechanical spacing. In some examples, the lattice can be configured as a scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. The lattice structures are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.

An absorbable iron-based implantable device, including an iron-based substrate and an iron absorption promoter that is attached to the iron-based substrate. The iron absorption promoter is a polymer containing an antioxidant structural unit on the molecular chain thereof. The antioxidant is gradually released as the iron absorption promoter is gradually degraded or broken, and may promote the absorption of iron.

Disclosed are a regenerative medical material for promoting the repair of soft and hard tissues, a preparation method therefor, and the use thereof. The regenerative medical material has a three-dimensional network structure and is a composite material composed of inorganics and organics, wherein the mass ratio of the inorganics to the organics is 2:1-4:1. Based on the total mass of the inorganics, the inorganics contain 12-38% SiO.sub.2, 3-5% Na.sub.2O, 15-29% CaO, 10-32.5% P.sub.2O.sub.5, 1-5% inositol hexaphosphate, 1-5% cyclohexanhexol phosphate, and the balance of impurities, with the content of impurities being less than 0.5%. Based on the total mass of the organics, the organics contain 30-60% carboxymethyl chitosan and 30-60% sodium hyaluronate. The regenerative medical material has a composition and properties better suited to the human body and plays a key role in cell repair and bonding, cell proliferation, and promoting the growth of hair follicles.