New Hip Joint Simulator Model For Biomaterials Tribological Analysis

ABSTRACT: Using the traditional tribological wear tests it is not possible to completely verify the real final performance of a combination of biomaterials and hip joint prosthesis geometry. Thus, for such a complex bearing combination, a more physiologically representative implants wear test is required; this can only be provided using complex mechanical simulators capable to reproduce, as close as possible, the real in vivo physiological loading and motion replacement working conditions. In this paper a new model of hip joint simulator will be presented, developed in order to test different kinds of hip joint prosthetic implant materials under the in vivo working conditions. Unlike other existing multi-axis hip joint simulators, whose performance were initially accurately studied and classified in terms of transmitted force and reproduced motion accuracy and versatility of use, this hip joint simulator has been studied to stand out the state of the art for its superior accuracy in completely reproducing the physiological condition of time dependent loading and three-dimensional mutually articulating bearing surfaces, and also simulating the physiological environment.