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Clemson University

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UHMWPE

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Full-Text Articles in Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering

Evaluation Of A Bisphosphonate Enriched Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene For Enhanced Total Joint Replacement Bearing Surface Functionality, Cassandra Wright-Walker May 2012

Evaluation Of A Bisphosphonate Enriched Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene For Enhanced Total Joint Replacement Bearing Surface Functionality, Cassandra Wright-Walker

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Each year in the United States there is an increasing trend of patients receiving total joint replacement (TJR) procedures. Approximately a half million total knee replacements (TKRs) are performed annually in the United States with increasing prevalence attributed to baby-boomers, obesity, older, and younger patients. This trend is also seen for total hip replacements (THRs) as well. The use of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) inserts in TJRs results in wear particle-induced osteolysis, which is the predominant cause for prosthesis failure and revision surgery. Sub-micron size particle generation is inevitable despite the numerous efforts in improving this bearing material. …


Dynamic Measurements Of Lubrication Film Thickness Of Uhmwpe Contacts For Total Joint Replacements, Andrew Clark May 2007

Dynamic Measurements Of Lubrication Film Thickness Of Uhmwpe Contacts For Total Joint Replacements, Andrew Clark

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A new contact sensing technology previously developed in the Biotribology Laboratory at Clemson University was further studied, evaluated, and characterized to extend its use to the measurement of lubricating film thickness. First, the laboratory's force-controlled knee joint simulator was used while dynamic contact pressure measurements under both dry and lubricated conditions were made using the sensor technology employed in two different artificial knee implant geometries. Each implant was machined by the manufacturer from custom blocks of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) containing a grid of discrete sensing regions. The difference between the dry and lubricated contact areas measured at …