Total hip performance under magnetic field

Abstract

Recently, there is an increasing demand for the utilization of magnetic fields in bioengineering applications. Beneficial uses of the magnetic field have been revealed in the excitation of muscles, nerves, heart valves, for fixation of dental prosthetic, for cancer therapy, etc. However, no attention has been concern with the artificial implant joint materials. Therefore, the present work aims to elucidate the tribological behavior of artificial joint materials under the effect of a medium strength magnetic field.

Experimental investigation was carried out on a designed hip simulator in which the variations in friction and wear were evaluated under the influence of a medium strength magnetic field. A “JRI Modular Muller Standard-Total Hip” was used with high alumina ceramic head and UHMWPE socket. The tests were conducted under both dry and lubricated sliding using saline solution. The simulator duplicates the physiological loading and motion cycles during normal human walking.

The presence of magnetic field of 270 G strength resulted in high beneficial reductions in friction and wear, which can extend the implant life. The results has revealed that the smooth polymer transfer to the alumina; plays a dominant role in dictating the frictional and wear behaviors and leads to reductions in both. Two action mechanisms dominate the sliding process: adhesive at the beginning of sliding and abrasive at further periods of sliding.