Tribology & testing of orthopedic implants

Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom – Lucideon officials have published a new white paper, "Tribology and Testing of Orthopedic Implants."

Written by Aia Malik, healthcare product manager, and Dr. Chris Pickles, consultant to Lucideon, the paper looks at the assessment of an implant in terms of mechanical testing, debris analysis, and surface analysis. It reviews the key techniques available, focusing on the value of generating a complete picture and an understanding of an orthopedic implant in terms of how the design, base material, and coating behave under friction and loading.

Lucideon has recently invested £1M in state-of-the-art wear testing facilities in both the UK and the US in order to offer a complete range of testing, analysis and consultancy services to orthopedic implant manufacturers. Using the latest high-tech, gold standard AMTI and ProSim simulators, Lucideon performs wear testing in accordance with the universally-accepted standards: ISO 14242-1,2 for hip and ISO 14243-1,2,3 for knee simulation (capable of both force and displacement control). With its advanced surface analysis capabilities, Lucideon is also able to offer analysis of any wear debris generated.

Lucideon’s other services for medical device manufacturers include regulatory submission support, cleanliness validation, and failure analysis. All services are carried out by highly experienced experts using state-of-the-art characterization and testing facilities.

“As an increasing number of patients are outliving the life expectancy of their implant, maximising and proving the longevity of such implants is becoming even more important. Bio-tribology, the study of friction, lubrication, and wear as it occurs in the body, is critical to aid product design and to investigate and  solve any faults that may occur,” Malik said.

The white paper can be downloaded free from Lucideon’s website – www.lucideon.com/medical.

Source: Lucideon