CPC A61L 27/50 (2013.01) [A61L 27/16 (2013.01); A61L 27/505 (2013.01); A61L 29/041 (2013.01); A61L 29/14 (2013.01); A61L 29/143 (2013.01); A61L 31/048 (2013.01); A61L 31/14 (2013.01); A61L 31/143 (2013.01); B65B 55/08 (2013.01); B65B 55/10 (2013.01); B65B 55/16 (2013.01); B65B 55/18 (2013.01); C08J 3/203 (2013.01); C08J 3/247 (2013.01); C08J 3/28 (2013.01); C08K 5/134 (2013.01); C08J 2323/06 (2013.01)] | 8 Claims |
1. A method of making a layered consolidated UHMWPE for use as a medical implant, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
blending a first ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder, flakes or particles with at least one pharmaceutical agent excluding vitamin-E in a solvent that comprises water and ethanol to provide a first UHMWPE blend;
drying the first UHMWPE blend;
consolidating as layers the UHMWPE blend from drying step with a second UHMWPE without blending to a pharmaceutical agent to yield layered consolidated UHMWPE comprising at least one pharmaceutical agent excluding vitamin-E in one layer; and
machining the layered consolidated UHMWPE.
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