Correspondence between John Charnley and members of staff at Chas F. Thackray Limited, relating to discussion of the design, manufacture and testing of components for prostheses, instruments, and the material used to construct them. There is reference to new products, and improvements to existing designs and prototypes.
Also included is discussion of Charnley’s input into the creation of catalogues and information sheets produced by Thackray for Charnley products, including hips and knees, prostheses and cups.
There is correspondence relating to patents, and paperwork relating to a dispute over a patent in North America with Zimmer [Inc.] and Howmedica [Osteonics Corporation], and also discussion of the procurement of a patent in West Germany.
There is discussion of the licensing of Charnley surgical inventions, with reference to Codman [and Shurtleff Inc.]and Clintor. There are also references to the filming of an operation, the standardisation of dimensions for manufacturing control, testing reports for materials, and the use of Charnley prostheses in Australia and Japan.
Also included is correspondence relating to Charnley’s intention to publish a paper on examples of tissue damage resulting from fine particles of high density polythene, and the dangers of hip operations for young people.
There is reference to queries by Charnley about manufacturing techniques, including cold work, and to the result of fatigue fracture testing.
There is correspondence relating to a request from Nawab Ghaus Buksh Raisani, Finance Minister of Baluchistan that Charnley operate on his daughter, which is declined.
Also included are complaints by Charnley as to management of Thackray in terms of supply of products, catalogues, communication difficulties, and in relation to patents and licenses.