Service Overview
Wear simulation is one of the many services available to you for investigating bearing surfaces and prosthetic designs. In vitro wear simulators approximate in vivo conditions, allowing performance evaluation of new designs and bearing materials prior to large-scale manufacture and implantation.
Additional Information
What equipment do you use for testing?
We perform all of our hip simulator wear tests using the twelve-station AMTI hip simulator developed and manufactured by Advanced Mechanical Technology Inc. (AMTI), which can replicate activities of daily living such as running, and stair climbing. The simulator is capable of testing to ISO and ASTM standards, ensuring consistent, repeatable procedures and results.
What are the equipment specifications?
Parameter Specification Test Stations 12 Load Soak Stations 8 Axial Load 4500N (1000lb) Degrees of Freedom Flexion ±55° @ 20Nm (180in-lb) IE Rotation ±20° @ 8Nm (70in-lb) Abduction ±20° @ 20Nm (180in-lb) Multi-axial Load Cell Axial Load 4500N AP Force 500N ML Force 500N Flexion Moment 25Nm Abduction Moment 25Nm Axial Moment 25Nm
Why is this type of testing important?
Joint simulator wear testing allows researchers, manufacturers, and industry professionals to evaluate the wear performance of their prosthesis design and bearing materials under physiological conditions. These tests can help our clients optimize and improve their designs prior to large-scale manufacturing and implantation, in addition to meeting regulatory requirements.
Can tests be performed under physiological conditions?
The OIC specializes in testing under physiological conditions, especially in the type of lubricant used to mimic synovial fluid. Please refer to our publications to learn more about our innovative research in this area.
In addition, every station is paired with a peristaltic pump that recirculates a temperature-controlled bath surrounding the contact area of the specimen.
Standards We Test
Practice for Gravimetric Measurement of Polymeric Components for Wear Assessment
Implants for surgery — Wear of total hip-joint prostheses
Roughened femoral heads to a specified Ra value
Microseparation and Direct Edge Loading of Hip Prostheses
Standard Guide for High Demand Hip Simulator Wear Testing of Hard-on-hard Articulations
Standard Test Method for Impingement of Acetabular Prostheses
Modification of ISO 14242 for Shoulder System Wear Test
Wear of Total Intervertebral Spinal Disc Prostheses