UHMWPE Composite Materials for Joint Implants

描述（由申请人提供）：在本SBIR I期项目中，将通过创建含碳增强材料的复合材料来改善高分子量聚乙烯（UHMWPE）关节植入物材料的关键机械性能。超高分子量聚乙烯长期以来一直广泛用于关节植入物，通过聚乙烯链的交联进一步提高了其耐磨性。然而，交联过程也与机械性能（包括韧性、疲劳和屈服强度）的劣化相关。通过所述方式将碳增强材料添加到UHMWPE中将提高UHMWPE的强度和抗蠕变性，而不会影响其低磨损率。碳增强材料将赋予UHMWPE基质无与伦比的尺寸稳定性和韧性，前提是碳和聚合物之间发生良好的载荷传递。这些假设将通过在各种形成条件下制备复合材料，使试样经受各种交联条件，然后评估其机械和摩擦学性能来验证。如果新型UHMWPE材料的性能符合预期，则受益将包括更持久的植入物，不易发生灾难性失效。 公共卫生相关性：关节植入物是治疗类风湿性关节炎、骨关节炎、骨坏死和其他严重破坏性损伤的有效方法;仅在美国，每年就有大约50万例关节置换手术。随着预期寿命的增加，患者的寿命往往超过植入物的10至15年寿命。该项目将引入一种新材料，可以制造寿命更长的假肢。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this SBIR Phase I project the key mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) joint implant materials will be improved by creating a composite material with carbon reinforcements. UHMWPE has long been widely used in joint implants, and further improvements to its wear resistance have been obtained by cross-linking the polyethylene chains. However, the cross-linking process has also been associated with degradation of the mechanical properties, including toughness, fatigue and yield strengths. Incorporating carbon reinforcements into UHMWPE through the manner described will improve the strength and creep resistance of UHMWPE without compromising its low wear rate. The carbon reinforcements will impart unmatched dimensional stability and toughness to the UHMWPE matrix, providing that good load transfer occurs between the carbon and polymer. These hypotheses will be validated by preparing composite materials under various formation conditions, subjecting test specimens to various crosslinking conditions, and then assessing their mechanical and tribological properties. Should the new UHMWPE materials perform according as expected, the benefits would include longer-lasting implants that are less prone to catastrophic failure. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Joint implants are an effective treatment for those with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, and other severe destructive injuries; within the U.S. alone, roughly 500,000 joint replacements are performed each year. As life expectancy increases, patients more frequently outlive the 10 to 15 year lifetime of their implant. This projet will introduce a new material from which prosthetics with longer lifetimes can be fabricated.