An orthopaedic implant can replace a joint in a patient. The orthopaedic implant includes a first component having a first component surface and a second component having a second component surface. The first component surface and the second component surface mate at an interface. The first component surface includes a metal substrate, a nanotextured surface, a ceramic coating, and a transition zone. The nanotextured surface is disposed directly upon the metal substrate and has surface features in a size of 10.sup.9 meters. The ceramic coating conforms to the nanotextured surface and includes a plurality of bio-active sites configured to attract and retain calcium and phosphorous cations. The transition zone is disposed between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating. The transition zone includes a concentration gradient transitioning from the metal substrate to the ceramic coating and there is no distinct interface between the metal substrate and the ceramic coating.

A prosthesis for a synovial joint arthroplasty within a human body is provided. The prosthesis includes a first prosthetic component, the first prosthetic component including a first surface and the first prosthetic component is formed of a plastic compound, the plastic compound includes a polymer, a plurality of long glass fibers, the long glass fibers being randomly dispersed throughout the polymer to improve surface fatigue life and inhibit surface crack propagation to the prosthesis and improve wear resistance of the prosthesis, a number of the plurality of long glass fibers configured to protrude outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component, a plurality of beads, the beads being randomly dispersed throughout the polymer to improve surface fatigue life and inhibit surface crack propagation to the prosthesis and improve wear resistance of the prosthesis, a number of the plurality of beads configured to protrude outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component, a second prosthetic component, the second prosthetic component including a second surface, the second surface of the second prosthetic component configured to engage said first surface of said first prosthetic component and slide relative to the first surface of the first prosthetic component while contacting the plurality of long glass fibers protruding outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component and the plurality of beads protruding outward from the first surface of the first prosthetic component.

A provisional prosthetic system that replicates the characteristics of a corresponding, nonprovisional femoral prosthesis. The provisional prosthetic system may include a frame component and a shell component. The frame component of the provisional prosthetic system may be configured to be attached directly to a resected femur. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame component is impacted onto the resected femur to firmly seat therewith. Once the frame component is secured to the resected femur, a shell component of the provisional prosthetic system may be positioned on and secured to the frame component. In one exemplary embodiment, the frame component is made from a metallic material. This allows for the frame component to maintain the rigidity necessary to facilitate proper trialing. In another exemplary embodiment, the shell component is a plastic.

An implant (1), in particular an acetabular implant, for implantation into a bone has, at least in parts, a surface structure (2) of raised portions (3) and depressions (4). The depressions (4) have zones coated with a porous coating (5). The raised portions are either not coated at all or are coated such that the coating has a thin layer thickness or a higher abrasion resistance in these portions. In this way, an improved abrasion behavior is reached when the implant is inserted into the bone.

This invention relates 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 pre-determined portion of the bearing surface is provided with cross-linked polymer bonds.

A composite article (e.g., prosthesis) and method of preparing the article is provided. An article may include a body having a matrix of a first hardness having a plurality of particles of a second hardness embedded in the matrix in fixed locations, the second hardness being harder than the first hardness, and the matrix having an external wear surface with a portion of the particles being proximal to or exposed at the external wear surface. The matrix with the particles may improve the life and durability of the article.

The articulating joint prostheses of the invention demonstrate reduced wear and can include a cup (101) formed of UHMWPE. An insert (150) of a hard material, such as metal, ceramic or cross-linked UHMWPE is positioned within the cup at a location of the contact between the cup and head (102). The shape of either component of the kinematic pair may be modified so as to result in an annular surface contact between the two components, with the insert positioned at the annular surface contact. Fluid trapped between the two components within the inner contour of the annular contact area is pressurized under load due to elastic deformation of the components and exuded out through an inter-articular gap over the surface of contact of the insert. This aids lubrication and reduces wear.

An acetabular cup prosthesis features conical pegs. The edge of each peg has an outer portion facing away from the edge of the other peg, and the outer portions of the pegs are parallel to or converging toward each other such that, when in use, the prosthesis can be securely inserted into a prepared bone cavity.

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.

A prosthetic joint includes: (a) a first member comprising rigid material and having a perimeter flange defined by an undercut groove, the flange defining a wear-resistant first contact surface having a protruding rim; (b) a second member comprising rigid material and having a perimeter flange defined by an undercut groove, the flange defining a wear-resistant, second contact surface having a protruding rim; and (c) a third member comprising rigid material positioned between the first and second members, the third member defining opposed wear-resistant third and fourth contact surfaces; (d) wherein the first and second contact surfaces bear against the third and fourth contact surfaces, to transfer loads through the member, while allowing pivoting motion between the first and second members; (e) wherein the flanges can deform elastically such that the first and second contact surfaces conform to the third and fourth contact surfaces.