DISCUSSIONS on FACEBOOK
The UHMWPE Lexicon is the online reference for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene used in total joint replacements. The additional goals for this website are to provide an overview of state-of-the-art research in several key polyethylene related problems of clinical significance and to encourage hypothesis driven polyethylene research. [+] Read more about us.
Publications & Reports
Latest Lessons Learned from Retrieval Analyses from UHMWPE and Alternative Bearing Total Disc Replacements
This review addresses the following four main questions: 1) What are the latest lessons learned from polyethylene in large joints and how are they relevant to current total disc replacements (TDRs)? 2) What are the latest lessons learned regarding adverse local tissue reactions from metal-on-metal, CoCr bearings in large joints and how are they relevant to current TDRs? 3) What advancements have been made in understanding the in vivo performance of alternative biomaterials, such as stainless steel and polycarbonate urethane, for TDRs in the past five years? 4) How has retrieval analysis of all these various artificial disc bearing technologies advanced the state of the art in preclinical testing of TDRs? The study of explanted artificial discs and their associated tissues can help inform bearing selection as well as the design of future generations of disc arthroplasty.
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5th UHMWPE International Meeting - Final Conference Proceedings Posted Online!
The finalized conference proceedings book (99 pp) can now be downloaded for the 5th UHMWPE International Meeting, which was convened at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA, on September 22-23, 2011. The PDF proceedings include the program and the hyperlinked one- to two-page abstracts for 27 podium and 31 poster presentations. The focus of the present meeting was on clinical, radiographic, and retrieval studies of highly crosslinked UHMWPE, with a special emphasis on the performance of knee arthroplasty; advances in Vitamin E and antioxidant technologies for UHMWPE; structural composites and woven fiber applications of medical grade UHMWPE; advances in biologic aspects of UHMWPE wear debris. We received a record number of abstracts for this meeting.
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PhD Dissertation - Investigations of Polyethylene Damage Modes of Lumbar Total Disc Replacement
This PHD dissertation outlines several studies that evaluated the biomechanics of total disc replacement. Specifically, an in situ model of lumbar total disc replacement impingement was generated and validated based on clinical data from retrieved polyethylene implants. The clinical parameters associated with impingement sensitivity were also determined in order to provide better guidance to both clinicians and designers.
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The 2nd Edition of the UHMWPE Biomaterials Handbook
The 2nd Edition of the UHMWPE Biomaterials Handbook, edited by Steven M. Kurtz, Ph.D., is published by Elsevier Academic Press. The new edition includes 35 chapters and over 15 contributors, expanding upon the history, properties, and clinical performance of biomaterials used for joint replacement. The new edition contains dedicated chapters to remelted and annealed highly crosslinked UHMWPE, Vitamin E stabilization, composite biomaterials, high pressure crystallization, as well as chapters covering advances in characterization, such as hip and knee simulator testing, radiographic wear measurement, biological response of wear debris, and fatigue and fracture behavior. The book can be ordered via the Amazon website or downloaded as an Ebook. A preview of the Ebook is also available.
Conferences Updates
UHMWPE at 2012 WBC in Chengdu
The 9th World Biomaterials Congress will be convening a dedicated UHMWPE Symposium, which is being organized by Steve Lin and Stuart Goodman. The 9th WBC will take place from June 1-5, 2012, in Chengdu, China. Click here for more details about the WBC.
Standards Updates
2011 Update to Standard Guide for UHMWPE Implant Components Published by ASTM
ASTM International has recently published a new update to ASTM F2759 - 11, Standard Guide for Assessment of the Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Used in Orthopedic and Spinal Devices. The scope of this revised standard includes exanded description of the biocompatibility of UHMWPE materials blended with Vitamin E. This revised standard provides additional guidance for manufacturers of hip, knee, upper extremity, and spinal implants seeking to evaluate the biocompatibility of UHMWPE blended with Vitamin E.