The UHMWPE Handbook: Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Total Joint Replacement - Hardcover

Kurtz Ph.D., Steven M.

9780124298514: The UHMWPE Handbook: Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Total Joint Replacement

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0124298516 ISBN 13: 9780124298514

Publisher: Academic Press, 2004

This book describes the history and properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) used in artificial joints.

UHMWPE is currently used in 1.4 million patients around the world every year for use in the hip, knee, upper extremities and spine. It has been used in hip replacements for over 40 years. Although the use of this material is very succcessful, the lifetime of artificial joints is limited to approximately 10 years, after which the survivorship declines markedly.

Recently, the orthopedic industry has developed new processing techniques (radiation crosslinking), which are expected to dramatically reduce wear and improve the longevity of hip implants beyond 10 years.

A major emphasis of this book is to describe the properties of these new highly crosslinked UHMWPE materials and to review the latest clinical results.

* The most up-to-date information on the properties of UHMWPE

* Endorsed by Ticona - the world's leading manufacturer of UHMWPE for medical use

* An enormous 'installed base' of over 1.4 million procedures each year

* UHMWPE has been used by orthopedists for over 40 years, yet its properties and performance in situ are still not well understood

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Review:

The UHMWPE Handbook is a comprehensive yet concise presentation of the important role that polyethylene has played and continues to play in the treatment armamentarium of the orthopaedic surgeonthe subject matter gives the reader an excellent overview of the field that will stimulate further reading and research. Portions of this book will be of great interest to orthopaedic residents and surgeons, providing them with a basic framework to understand the performance of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in a variety of clinical settings, including arthroplasty of the hip, knee, shoulder, and disc. This book should be read by individuals who are involved in clinical and basic research involving polyethylene performance as well as by biomedical engineering trainees who intend to pursue a career in the orthopaedic device industry. The author and his colleagues are to be commended for compiling this information and producing an authoritative and useful resource for our speciality The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

About the Author:

Dr. Kurtz has been researching ultra-high molecular weight polyehtylene(UHMWPE) for use in orthopedics for over 10 years. He has published dozens of papers and several book chapters related to UHMWPE used in joint replacement. He has pioneered the development of new test methods for the material in orthopedics. Dr. Kurtz has authored national and international standards for medical upgrade UHMWPE.

As a principle engineer at Exponent, an international engineering and scientific consulting company, his research on UHMWPE is supported by several major orthopedic manufacturers. He has funding from the National Institutes for Health to stdy UHMWPE changes after implanatation in the body, as well as to develop new computer-based tools to predict the performance of new UHMWPE materials.

Dr. Kurtz is the Director of an orthopedic implant retrieval program in Philadelphia which is affiliated with Drexel University and Thomas Jefferson University. He teaches classes on the performance of orthopedic polymers (including UHMWPE) at Drexel, Temple, and Princeton Universities.

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