Correspondence between John Charnley and members of staff at Chas. Thackray Limited, relating to the design, development, improvement and testing of hip and knee prostheses, instruments, materials and their manufacture. There is reference to testing for stress and fatigue failure, assurances on strength, and diagrams of instruments and prostheses.
Also included is discussion of demonstrations by Charnley, at [King Edward VII Hospital], Midhurst, and at the foundation of the International Hip Society. There is reference to the work of the Low Friction Society, and to clinical trials undertaken at Wrightington [Hospital].
There is correspondence relating to Charnley’s input into the production of catalogues and bulletins on Thackray products, to the use of photographs and diagrams of Thackray’s by Charnley for a book [Low Friction Arthroplasty of the Hip, 1979] and to Charnley’s views on Thackray’s relationship with Codman [and Shurtleff Inc.]
Also included is correspondence relating to the supply of instruments to Charnley for a film of the hip operation, showings of the film, and text for a pamphlet to accompany the film. There are complaints by Charnley regarding delays in production and quality control, and discussion of the success of Thackray’s use of cold formed prosthesis production.
There is reference to the payment of royalties to Charnley Surgical Inventions Ltd, and discussion of cases in which prostheses have not been successful.