SBIR Phase I: Nanoceramic Coated Artificial Knees for Improved Wear Resistance

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目建议研究一种使用纳米陶瓷材料的新型涂层，用于人工膝关节置换。所提出的纳米陶瓷人工关节，其磨损表面包含陶瓷涂层相对于陶瓷涂层，与CoCrMo合金与超高相对分子质量聚乙烯(UHMWPE)对磨料的耐磨性有望更好。此外，与UHMWPE-陶瓷组合相比，金属衬底将提供相当高的强度和韧性，从而避免脆性断裂。该项目将利用等离子喷涂技术选择合适的纳米涂层组合物进行体外评估和物理性能表征。该项目的商业应用是在假体设备领域。该项目将用于开发膝关节、髋关节、肘关节、肩关节和其他关节的人工假体，以及治疗骨质疏松症和与运动有关的关节损伤。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to investigate a new coating for artificial knee replacements, using nano-ceramic materials. The proposed nanoceramic artificial joints, with the wear surfaces containing ceramic coating against ceramic coating, are expected to be superior in wear resistance to a CoCrMo alloy against ultra high molecular weight polyethylene ("UHMWPE") pair. Also, the metallic substrate will provide considerably higher strength and toughness compared to UHMWPE - ceramic combination, thereby avoiding brittle fractures. This project will select a suitable nanocoating composition using a plasma spraying technique for follow on in-vitro evaluation and physical property characterization.The commercial application of this project is in the area of prosthetic devices. This project will allow for the development of artificial prostheses for the knee, hip, elbow, shoulder and other joints, as well as for treatment of osteoporosis and sports related joint damage.