US 11,806,955 B2
Method for testing additively manufactured orthopaedic prosthetic components
Weidong Tong, Warsaw, IN (US); Mahdieh Aghazadeh, Warsaw, IN (US); Christopher B. Anderson, Warsaw, IN (US); and Christine L. Douglas, Warsaw, IN (US)
Assigned to DEPUY IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY
Filed by DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company, Ringaskiddy (IE)
Filed on Feb. 26, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/801,579.
Prior Publication US 2021/0260841 A1, Aug. 26, 2021
Int. Cl. B29C 71/00 (2006.01); B33Y 40/20 (2020.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 71/0009 (2013.01) [B33Y 40/20 (2020.01); B29C 2071/0027 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7532 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for removing a plurality of particles from an additively manufactured orthopaedic prosthetic component, the method comprising the steps of:
submersing at least a portion of the additively manufactured orthopaedic prosthetic component in a liquid;
sonicating at least a portion of the additively manufactured orthopaedic prosthetic component so as to loosen the plurality of particles;
shaking the additively manufactured orthopaedic prosthetic component at a low frequency vibration so as to evacuate the loosened plurality of particles from the additively manufactured orthopaedic prosthetic component;
filtering the plurality of particles from the fluid by causing the liquid to flow through a filtration substrate and preventing the plurality of particles to flow through the filtration substrate;
determining a weight of the plurality of particles;
obtaining a magnified image of at least a portion of the filtration substrate and the plurality of particles supported by the filtration substrate;
viewing the magnified image on a display;
surrounding the plurality of particles with at least one boundary line on the image along a respective outer perimeter of the plurality of particles, respectively; and
determining at least one characteristic of the plurality of particles, the at least one characteristic including at least one of 1) a quantity of groups of the plurality of particles, 2) a size of the plurality of particles, and 3) an aspect ratio of the plurality of particles.