SFB 298 SIIRI – Saftey Integrated and Infection Reactive Implants – A04 Demand-oriented design and manufacture of damage-tolerant implant junctions

Modular hip prostheses enable individual adaptation to the biomechanics of patients in order to achieve the best possible surgical results. However, this modularity can also lead to complications, particularly due to micromotions at the connection. These micromotions and the associated damage mechanisms are influenced by the surface and subsurface properties. Nevertheless, the causal relationships between these mechanisms are still unknown. It is therefore crucial to gain a fundamental understanding of the failure mechanisms of the connecting elements in relation to their design, in particular their surface and subsurface properties, in order to increase damage resistance.

Objectives

The aim of the project is to understand the interactions between the properties of implant connections and their damage mechanisms. This will be achieved by applying and adapting findings from production engineering. Under worst-case conditions, wear and corrosion must be investigated and prevented in order to develop new, damage-tolerant connections.

Benefits

This project aims to improve the conical interface of bimodular hip endoprostheses. This will reduce abrasion and wear on the implants. Manufacturers and clinics will benefit from knowledge about surface and subsurface properties, which will lead to improved performance. 

Approach

Bimodular hip implants with different surface and subsurface properties are manufactured and tested under realistic conditions on a test bench in cooperation with the Laboratory for Biomechanics and Biomaterials (LBB) at Hannover Medical School. The wear is then characterized and analyzed. A particular focus is placed on adapting the surface topography and the design of the neck adapters.

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Contact Beate Legutko via email at legutko@ifw.uni.hannover.de or by phone at +49 511 762 18336.