BRIGE: Patterned Microtexture to Create Fluid Film Lubrication at Low Sliding Velocities in Prosthetic Knee Joints

这项工程学研究启动资助（BRIGE）为设计具有图案化微纹理的人工膝关节植入物轴承表面提供资金。本研究的主要目标是通过在低关节滑动速度下产生流体动力学润滑来减少摩擦和磨损，从而延长与最先进的光滑植入物相比的植入物耐久性。将使用有限差分公式实现具有图案化微观纹理的假体膝关节的滑动部件的模型。将优化微观纹理的定义参数，以最大限度地提高轴承承载能力和轴承表面之间的间隔。该模型将考虑润滑剂（滑液）的非牛顿性质和步态期间关节面之间的可变间距。激光表面纹理将被用来制造图案化的微纹理。将建立一个原型假体膝关节植入物与优化，图案化的微观纹理设计，以验证模型和实验比较摩擦和磨损的微观纹理和光滑的假体膝关节轴承surfaces.This研究将提供关键的洞察微观纹理的影响，从边界润滑过渡到流体动力润滑在低，可变的滑动速度在非牛顿润滑剂的存在下。具体而言，本研究的结果将有助于通过大幅减少摩擦和磨损来提高人工膝关节植入物的关节面耐久性。这可能标志着新一代假体植入物的开始，其耐用性大大提高，以服务于老龄化人口并降低医疗保健成本。推而广之，这项研究也将适用于减少其他植入物的摩擦和磨损，如髋关节和肩关节植入物。在该项目期间，将通过K-12外联和本科生研究促进代表性不足群体的学生的参与。将为犹他州大学为女高中生举办的年度Hi-GEAR夏令营提供一个与摩擦有关的互动模块和课程。此外，一个演示工具包将是发现工程显示的一部分，该显示访问了湖城的高中。

This Broadening Participation Research Initiation Grant in Engineering (BRIGE) grant provides funding for the design of prosthetic knee implant bearing surfaces with a patterned microtexture. The primary goal of this research is to extend implant durability compared to state-of-the-art smooth implants by creating hydrodynamic lubrication at low joint sliding velocities to reduce friction and wear. A model of the sliding components of a prosthetic knee joint with patterned microtexture will be implemented using a finite difference formulation. The defining parameters of the microtexture will be optimized to maximize the bearing load carrying capacity and the separation between the bearing surfaces. The model will account for the non-Newtonian nature of the lubricant (synovial fluid) and the variable spacing between the bearing surfaces during gait. Laser surface texturing will be used to fabricate the patterned microtexture. A prototype prosthetic knee implant with an optimized, patterned microtexture design will be built to validate the model and experimentally compare friction and wear of microtextured and smooth prosthetic knee bearing surfaces.This study will provide critical insight on the effect of microtexture for the transition from boundary lubrication to hydrodynamic lubrication at low, variable sliding velocities in the presence of a non-Newtonian lubricant. Specifically, the results of this research will contribute to improving the durability of bearing surfaces of prosthetic knee implants by drastically reducing friction and wear. This could mark the beginning of a new generation of prosthetic implants with much improved durability, to serve an aging population and reduce health care costs. By extension, this research will also apply to reducing friction and wear in other implants, such as hip and shoulder implants. During this project, participation of students from underrepresented groups will be promoted through K-12 outreach and undergraduate research. An interactive module and curriculum related to friction will be contributed to the annual Hi-GEAR camp at the University of Utah for female high school students. Additionally, a demo-kit will be part of the Discover Engineering Display, which visits high schools in the Salt Lake City metro area.