Tensile and tribological properties of high-crystallinity radiation crosslinked UHMWPE.

Osteolysis due to particulate wear debris associated with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) components of total joint replacement prostheses has been a major factor determining their in vivo lifetime. In recent years, radiation crosslinking has been employed to decrease wear rates in PE components, especially in acetabular cups of total hip replacement prostheses. A drawback of radiation crosslinking is that it leads to a crosslinked PE (or XPE) with lower mechanical properties compared with uncrosslinked PE. In contrast, high-crystallinity PEs are known to have several mechanical properties higher than conventional PE. In this study, we hypothesized that increasing the crystallinity of radiation crosslinked and remelted XPE would result in an increase in tensile properties without compromising wear resistance. High-pressure crystallization was performed on PE and XPE and analyzed for the resulting morphological alterations using differential scanning calorimeter, low voltage scanning electron microscopy, and ultrasmall angle X-ray scattering. Uniaxial tensile tests showed that high-pressure crystallization increased the tensile modulus and yield stress in both PE and XPE, decreased the ultimate strain and ultimate stress in PE but had no significant effect on ultimate strain or ultimate stress in XPE. Multidirectional wear tests demonstrated that high-pressure crystallization decreased the wear resistance of PE but had no effect on the wear resistance of XPE. In conclusion, this study shows that high-pressure crystallization can be effectively used to increase the crystallinity and modulus of XPE without compromising its superior wear resistance compared with PE.

A study of the nanostructure and tensile properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has gained worldwide acceptance as a bearing material used in orthopaedic implants. Despite its widespread use, inherent properties of the polymer continue to limit the wear resistance and the clinical lifespan of implanted knee and hip prosthetics containing UHMWPE components. The degree of crystallinity of UHMWPE is known to strongly influence several of its tensile mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, yield stress, strain-hardening rates, work of fracture and ultimate tensile properties. In this study, medical grade UHMWPE was subjected to four different crystallization conditions resulting in UHMWPE with a range of crystalline morphologies. Thereafter, the crystalline nanostructure was quantitatively characterized using a combination of ultra-small angle X-ray scattering and differential scanning calorimetry. Low-voltage scanning electron microscopy was employed as a supplementary technique to compare the crystalline morphology resulting from each crystallization condition. In addition, uniaxial tensile tests were performed to assess the effects of crystallization conditions on the mechanical properties of UHMWPE. This study showed that while crystallization conditions strongly influenced the morphology of UHMWPE, in most cases the mechanical properties of the material were not significantly affected.

The 2003 anatomy ceremony: a service of gratitude.

In keeping with a long-standing tradition, Yale Medical and Physician Associate students gather at a ceremony each year after the completion of the anatomy course. The ceremony is a chance to reflect and to give thanks. It gives students the opportunity to articulate their gratitude to the selfless individuals who donated their bodies for the benefit of education. Many family members of the donors attend the ceremony. By reading poetry, performing musical pieces, and presenting works of art, the students and their teachers express some of the emotions and thoughts that the anatomy course has evoked. The following are some of the contributions presented at this year's ceremony.