Correspondence between John Charnley and members of staff at Chas. Thackray Limited, relating to discussion and critique of the production of prostheses and instruments, with reference to development and modification, testing, quality control, sterilisation, and materials and specifications. There is also discussion of staffing at Thackray, the manufacture of protective clothing, and pricing structures for products.
There are complaints by Charnley regarding the services provided by Thackray, and reference to visits by Thackray staff to Wrightington Hospital, and visits by Charnley to the facilities of Chas. Thackray Ltd.
Also included are advice and notes by Charnley on leaflets, marketing literature, product info sheets and sales training manuals. There is discussion of patents, specifications, and the payment of royalties by Thackray to Charnley.
There is correspondence relating to the manufacture of materials and instruments in other countries, particularly in North America, and discussion of relations with other companies and manufacturers, with reference to patent infringement, quality control, and requests to replicate Charnley’s work.
There is also discussion of Charnley’s relationship with [James] Howorth [and Co.], and of fractures occurring in some instances of use of the prosthetics, with reference to a lawsuit in North America, and the defence provided by Charnley as protection against legal action.
There is correspondence relating to the establishment of the Charnley Research Trust, its donation of funds to Wrightington Hospital, and the nature of the relationship between the two bodies.
There is a brochure for Immedio, lightweight hand splints for immediate application; a Thackray Radford product, and a provisional specification patent form for improvements relating to femoral prostheses.