ENHANCEMENT OF LUBRICATION FOR ARTIFICIAL CARTILAGE

描述：（改编自研究者摘要）许多骨关节 疾病只涉及关节一侧的退化 例如软骨软化症和缺血性坏死。 为了提高 根据患者的情况，该关节面或关节缺损可能是 由一个具有人造软骨功能的植入物代替。 不幸的是，这种惰性材料与相对 健康的软骨可能会导致长期的问题，例如 软骨磨损导致疼痛复发。 据推测 这种手术技术可以通过提供一种内在的 边界润滑机制，附着在人造表面上， 材料 该项目的长期目标是确定 磷脂酰胆碱（滑液中的主要磷脂） 离子连接到弹性体表面上可用于降低 在半关节成形术条件下或对于 修复骨软骨缺损。 这项研究的具体目标是： 1：测量关节软骨衬垫的摩擦系数 在模拟环境下， 生理条件。 2：表征磷脂的作用 涂层及其厚度在关节滑液润滑中的作用 软骨/弹性体体外。3：建立一个数学模型， 软骨、磷脂层和弹性体之间的弹性接触， 预测表面活性剂在生物力学条件下的行为。 建议蚀刻弹性体材料的表面以使其 带负电荷。 磷脂酰胆碱层的结合 表面作为表面活性剂将降低摩擦系数之间 弹性体和软骨。 体外摩擦学研究（模拟生理条件） 接触软骨组织将能够评估效果 表面处理对摩擦系数的降低。 这些测试也将在未经处理的弹性体表面上进行。 磷脂和透明质酸溶液将用作润滑剂。 将进行疲劳试验，以表征 磷脂涂层覆盖在弹性体上。 在测试了两个软骨 和弹性体结构的特征。

DESCRIPTION: (Adapted from investigator's abstract) Many osteo-articular diseases involve the degeneration of only one side of an articular joint such as chondromalacia, and avascular necrosis. In order to improve the parient's condition, this articular surface or articular defect may be replaced by an implant which functions as an artificial cartilage. Unfortunately, this articulation of an inert material with relatively healthy cartilage may cause problems on a long term basis, such as cartilage wear leading to the recurrence of pain. It is postulated that this surgical technique could be improved through providing an intrinsic boundary lubrication mechanism attached to the surface of the artificial material. The long term objective of the project is to determine if phosphatidylcholined (predominant phospholipids in synovial fluid) ionically attached to an elastomeric surface can be used to reduce friction and wear of cartilage in hemiarthroplasty conditions or for the repair of osteochondral defects. The specific aims of this study are: 1:To measure the coefficient of friction of articular cartilage bearing against a chemically treated elastomeric surface under simulated physiological conditions. 2:To characterize the role of phospholipid coating and its thickness in synovial joint lubrication for the contact cartilage/elastomer in vitro. 3:To develop a mathematical model of the elastic contact between cartilage, phospholipid layer, and elastomer to predict the behavior of the surfactant in biomechanical conditions. It is proposed to etch the surface of an elastomeric material to render it negatively charged. The bonding of a layer of phosphatidylcholine on this surface as a surfactant will reduce the coefficient of friction between elastomer and cartilage. An in vitro tribological study (simulating physiological conditions) of the contact elastomer-cartilage will enable the evaluation of the effect of surface treatment on the reduction of the coefficient of friction. These tests will be also performed with untreated elastomeric surface. Solutions of phospholipids and hyaluronic acid will be used as lubricants. Fatigue tests will be performed to characterize the adhesion of the phospholipidic coating onto the elastomer. After testing both cartilage and elastomer structure will be characterized.