Optimum Design of Knee Prostheses with High Performance Similar to Natural Knee Joints

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The object of this research is to develop the approaches for the optimum design of knee prostheses with high performance similar to natural knee joints. What we are aiming at is to establish the adaptive multimode lubrication.The following methods were carried out.1. Three-dimensional analysis for the contact conditions in knee jointsThe optical visualization of fluid film formation between compliant material as artificial cartilage and transparent plate was carried out by mixing aluminium particles into lubricants. The fluid film profiles and contact zones were analyzed by means of CCD camera and image processing system. The low frictional behavior of gel film was observed for gelatin models lubricated with gelatin solution.2. Knee joint simulator testTo evaluate the fluid film formation in knee prostheses under walking condition, the knee joint simulator was developed and used for the measurement of electric resistance and friction between femoral and tibial components. In a knee prosthesis with an elastomeric tibial component lubricated with high visosity lubricatns, the elastohydrodynamic film was considerably formed even during the loading stance phase. It is suggested from the experimental results that the adaptive multimode lubrication is required to establish the long durability of the knee prosthesis with polyethylene tibial component, or lubricated with low viscosity lubricants.3. Clinical optimization in total knee replacementThe clinical results of four types of uncemented total knee prostheses were evaluated from the viewpoint of the geometrical design, instrumentations and postoperative fixation at the interface.