Biomet, Inc

Additional source of information for UHMWPE acetabular cups arises from the quantitative analysis of polarized Raman spectra. Figure 17.6 shows photographs and the outcome of such analysis for two acetabular cups, which were retrieved after substantially different in vivo lifetimes. The retrieved acetabular cups were both belonging to male patients and sterilized by y-rays, but produced by different processes. One acetabular component (manufactured in 2002 by Biomet Inc.) was prepared by isostatic compression molding and sterilized before implantation by a dose of 33 kGy of y-rays. It was retrieved due to infection after 2 years 5 months. This cup will be referred to as the short-term retrieval. The other retrieval (manufactured in 1995 by Zimmer Inc.) was prepared by Ram-extruded molding and sterilized in air by a dose of 25-37 kGy of y-rays. For this latter cup, the follow-up pe-... 

BioMetics Inc. (1996) Municipal Solid Waste Conversion Project, Final Report, Contract No 4204-ERTER-ER-95., Biometics Inc., Boston, MA. 

Contemporary barrier packaging used with the fabrication of ArCom (Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, IN). ArCom packaging currently uses a glass film interposed between polymer sheets for an oxygen barrier. The packaging is argon flushed and then vacuum sealed. 

Special thanks to Janet Krevolin (Centerpulse Orthopaedics, Inc.), Ray Gsell (Zimmer, Inc.), Shi-Shen Yao and Paul Serekian (Howmedica Osteonics Corp.), Jorge Ochoa and Mark Haynes (DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.), and David Schroeder (Biomet, Inc.) for their helpful discussions and editorial assistance with this chapter. 

FIGURE 2.1 Typical processing steps in the manufacture of UHMWPE implants, starting with the resin powder (A). (B) Semifinished rods that have been consolidated from the resin powder (C) Machining of the UHMWPE rods on a lathe (D) UHMWPE acetabular components after machining. Pictures provided courtesy of David Schroeder (Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, Indiana, USA). 

ArCom is the trade name of a proprietary conversion process, which denotes that the resin has been compression molded in the presence of argon (Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, Indiana, USA). ArCom is produced by hot isostatic pressing (see Section 2.3.3) as well as by direct compression molding (see Section 2.3.4). 

Resin consolidation issues with UHMWPE. Report No. Y-BEM-069. Warsaw Biomet, Inc. 1995. 

Highly crosslinked UHMWPE is now the most widely used alternative to conventional UHMWPE. Today, four out of the five major orthopedic manufacturers offer highly crosslinked UHMWPE for total knee arthroplasty (Prolong, Zimmer, Inc. X3, Stryker Orthopaedics XLK, DePuy Orthopedics and EPoly, Biomet, Inc.). However, there is not universal agreement in the clinical community that highly crosslinked... 

FIGURE 10.15 Biomet Discovery Elbow System. Images provided courtesy of Biomet, Inc. 

FIGURE 10.17 Kudo Elbow System. (A) Assembled Kudo Elbow. Image provided courtesy of Biomet, Inc. (B) Disassembled Kudo humeral component and all UHMWPE ulnar component. Reprinted with permission from The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc. [18],... 

In a study by Kurtz et al., the free radial level in Crossfire was reported as 1.4 X 10 mole/cc compared with 3.7 X 10 mole/cc for N2/Vac [21]. In another study, Collier et al. compared different UHMWPE materials [22]. They reported the free radical content of Crossfire as 7.3 X 10 mole/dm while that of ArCom (Himont 1900 gamma sterilized in argon. Biomet Inc., Warsaw, Indiana, USA) was reported as 3.8 X 10 mole/dm. GUR 1050 UHMWPE gamma sterilized in nitrogen at 38 kGy has been shown to have a free radical content of 2.6 X 10 spins/ g compared to 4.3 X 10 spins/g for Crossfire [23]. It is difficult to be precise when measuring free radical content because measurements are affected by technique and the time since irradiation. However, even when taking this... 

We would like to thank Dr. William H. Harris for his help with the biocompatibility literature survey and for his insights. The work discussed by the authors has been supported by National Institute for Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Grant No. AR051142, research grants from Biomet, Inc., Zimmer, Inc., the William H. Harris foundation, and departmental funds. 

Orthopedic manufacturer Biomet, Inc. (Warsaw, Indiana, USA), www.biomet.com... 

ArCom XL polyethylene, a second-generation highly crosslinked UHMWPE, was developed by David Schroeder and coworkers at Biomet, Inc. (Warsaw, Indiana, USA). ArCom XL polyethylene was clinically introduced in 2005 and is currently available in the Max-Rom, Hi-Wall, 10 degree, +5 Hi-Wall, and +5 Max-Rom liners in the RingLoc acetabular cup design. The material is not available in total knee replacement designs. 

This chapter was made possible by the assistance of colleagues at the five orthopedic manufacturers of highly crosslinked UHMWPE, who provided access to representative products and processing information Jordan Freedman and David Schroeder (Biomet, Inc.) Keith Greer (DePuy Orthopedics) Hallie Brinkerhuff (Zimmer, Inc.) Alissa Sellers (Stryker Orthopedics) and Mark Morrison (Smith Nephew). 

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