ASTM F2759-11 - 15.4.2011
 
Significance and Use

This guide aims to provide guidance for a range of various assessments and evaluations to aid in preclinical research and device development of various UHMWPE components in orthopedic and spinal devices used for the repair of musculoskeletal disorders.

This guide includes brief descriptions of various assessments, representative data, processing conditions, and intended use or uses, as well as the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the UHMWPE powder to a finished product component.

The user is encouraged to use appropriate ASTM International and other standards to conduct the physical, chemical, mechanical, biocompatibility, and preclinical tests on UHMWPE materials, device components, or devices before assessment of an in vivo model.

Assessments of UHMWPE should be performed in accordance with the provisions of 21 CFR 58 where feasible.

Studies to support investigational device exemption (IDE), premarket approval (PMA), or 510K submissions should conform to appropriate Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for the development of medical devices.

Assessments with physical, chemical, mechanical, biocompatibility, and preclinical tests on UHMWPE components are not necessarily predictive of human results and should be, therefore, interpreted cautiously with respect to potential applicability to human conditions. Referenced UHMWPE publications can be found in the References section at the end of this guide for further review.

TABLE 1 UHMWPE Fabricated Forms and Conditions

 
1. Scope

1.1 This guide covers general guidelines for the physical, chemical, biocompatibility, mechanical, and preclinical assessments of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in implantable orthopedic and spinal devices intended to replace a musculoskeletal joint. The UHMWPE components may include knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, ankle, total disc replacement, toe, finger, and wrist joint implant devices. This guide does not cover UHMWPE in fiber or tape forms.

1.2 This guide includes a description and rationale of assessments for the various UHMWPE types and processing conditions. Assessment testing based on physical, chemical, biocompatibility, mechanical, and preclinical analyses are briefly described and referenced. The user should refer to specific test methods for additional details.

1.3 This guide does not attempt to define all of the assessment methods associated with UHMWPE components in orthopedic and spinal devices.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

F2695-12(2020)

Standard Specification for Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Powder Blended With Alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E) and Fabricated Forms for Surgical Implant Applications

F763-22

Standard Practice for Short-Term Intramuscular Screening of Implantable Medical Device Materials

F748-16

Standard Practice for Selecting Generic Biological Test Methods for Materials and Devices

F732-17

Standard Test Method for Wear Testing of Polymeric Materials Used in Total Joint Prostheses

F749-20

Standard Practice for Evaluating Material Extracts by Intracutaneous Injection in the Rabbit

F756-17

Standard Practice for Assessment of Hemolytic Properties of Materials

D695-23

Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics

D883-24

Standard Terminology Relating to Plastics

D2765-16(2024)

Standard Test Methods for Determination of Gel Content and Swell Ratio of Crosslinked Ethylene Plastics

D4020-18

Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Molding and Extrusion Materials

E647-23a

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Fatigue Crack Growth Rates (Includes all amendments and changes 6/27/2023).

D256-23e1

Standard Test Methods for Determining the Izod Pendulum Impact Resistance of Plastics (Includes all amendments and changes 4/7/2023).

D638-22

Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics

F648-21

Standard Specification for Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Powder and Fabricated Form for Surgical Implants

F2214-23

Standard Test Method for In Situ Determination of Network Parameters of Crosslinked Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

F2381-19

Standard Test Method for Evaluating Trans-Vinylene Yield in Irradiated Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fabricated Forms Intended for Surgical Implants by Infrared Spectroscopy

F2423-11(2020)

Standard Guide for Functional, Kinematic, and Wear Assessment of Total Disc Prostheses

F2625-10(2016)

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Enthalpy of Fusion, Percent Crystallinity, and Melting Point of Ultra-High-Molecular Weight Polyethylene by Means of Differential Scanning Calorimetry

F619-20

Standard Practice for Extraction of Materials Used in Medical Devices

F813-20

Standard Practice for Direct Contact Cell Culture Evaluation of Materials for Medical Devices

F895-11(2016)

Standard Test Method for Agar Diffusion Cell Culture Screening for Cytotoxicity

F981-23

Standard Practice for Assessment of Muscle and Bone Tissue Responses to Long-Term Implantable Materials Used in Medical Devices

F1714-96(2018)

Standard Guide for Gravimetric Wear Assessment of Prosthetic Hip Designs in Simulator Devices

F1715-00e1

Standard Guide for Wear Assessment of Prosthetic Knee Designs in Simulator Devices (Withdrawn 2006)

F2003-02(2022)

Standard Practice for Accelerated Aging of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene After Gamma Irradiation in Air

F2025-06(2018)

Standard Practice for Gravimetric Measurement of Polymeric Components for Wear Assessment

F2102-17

Standard Guide for Evaluating the Extent of Oxidation in Polyethylene Fabricated Forms Intended for Surgical Implants

F2183-02

Standard Test Method for Small Punch Testing of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Used in Surgical Implants