Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Subsurface oxidation of polyethylene

B M Daly1, J Yin

  • 1Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-8000, USA.

Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
|November 25, 1998
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[Analysis of risk factors for prolonged postoperative ileus after segmental jejunectomy].

Zhonghua wei chang wai ke za zhi = Chinese journal of gastrointestinal surgery·2026
Same author

The IMAP-Ultra Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) Imager.

Space science reviews·2025
Same author

[A descriptive analysis on the distribution of spicy food consumption in adult twins in China].

Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi·2025
Same author

[Chemotherapy-free induction therapy for a critically ill pregnant woman with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a case report and literature review].

Zhonghua xue ye xue za zhi = Zhonghua xueyexue zazhi·2025
Same author

[Long-term survival outcomes and prognostic factors following radical resection of pancreatic body and tail cancer: a retrospective analysis of 992 patients].

Zhonghua wai ke za zhi [Chinese journal of surgery]·2025
Same author

Design and calibration experiment of a two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence diagnostic system for the Huanliu-3 tokamak.

The Review of scientific instruments·2025
Same journal

Optimizing the tensile properties of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel for the construction of a bioprosthetic heart valve stent.

Journal of biomedical materials research·2002
Same journal

Wear of conventional and cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene acetabular cups against polished and roughened CoCr femoral heads in a biaxial hip simulator.

Journal of biomedical materials research·2002
Same journal

Immobilization of natural macromolecules on poly-L-lactic acid membrane surface in order to improve its cytocompatibility.

Journal of biomedical materials research·2002
Same journal

Light scattering and in vitro biocompatibility studies of poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) derivatives with amino-acid-dependent groups.

Journal of biomedical materials research·2002
Same journal

Immobilization of an oxalate-degrading enzyme on silicone elastomer.

Journal of biomedical materials research·2002
Same journal

An evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of orthodontic bonding adhesives upon a primary human oral gingival fibroblast culture and a permanent, human oral cancer-cell line.

Journal of biomedical materials research·2002
See all related articles

Gamma radiation sterilization of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) medical implants causes degradation. Oxidation profiles reveal maximum degradation occurs below the surface, impacting orthopedic prostheses longevity.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Orthopedic Engineering

Background:

  • Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a critical bearing material in orthopedic prostheses since the 1960s.
  • Gamma radiation sterilization, commonly used for UHMWPE, promotes material degradation in the presence of oxygen, linked to implant failure.
  • Understanding UHMWPE degradation mechanisms is crucial for improving the longevity of orthopedic implants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the oxidation profiles of aged ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene components.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of oxidative degradation in gamma-sterilized UHMWPE.
  • To develop a predictive model for UHMWPE degradation based on oxidation patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Shelf-aged UHMWPE components (5.8 and 10.9 years) were sectioned.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to quantify ketone concentrations (primary oxidation products).
  • Oxidation profiles were analyzed, and a computational model incorporating radical reactions and oxygen diffusion was developed.

    • Main Results:

    • Maximum ketone concentrations were observed several millimeters below the component surface.
    • Surface ketone levels were low due to oxygen-driven alkyl radical depletion.
    • Bulk ketone levels were low due to limited oxygen availability, while subsurface levels peaked due to a balance of radical concentrations.

    Conclusions:

    • A model explaining subsurface oxidation peaks in UHMWPE was proposed, involving the interplay of alkyl radicals, peroxyl radicals, and oxygen diffusion.
    • The model accurately predicted observed oxidation profiles, enhancing understanding of UHMWPE degradation.
    • Findings provide insights into improving the long-term performance and reliability of UHMWPE-based orthopedic implants.