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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/K97929/01
Title: TRIBOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF NEW DESIGNS OF PROSTHESES FOR HIP, FINGER, KNEE AND EXPLANTED HIP JTS
Principal Investigator: Unsworth, Professor A
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
DePuy Synthes (International) Pfizer
Department: Sch of Engineering & Computer Science
Organisation: Durham, University of
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 20 May 1996 Ends: 19 May 1997 Value (£): 25,960
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Biomaterials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The primary long-term problem of total joint replacement (TJR) is generally considered to be the late aseptic loosening of the components. Wear of the components, especially those composed of polymeric materials have been implicated in this late failure. A critical feature in determining the wear behaviour is the surface topography of the articulating surfaces. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that the wear factor is a exponential function of the average surface roughness, R. However, little work has been undertaken on the effects of other surface parameters on the war of clinical materials. This is especially important when comparing different or new materials. Further, qualitative assessment of explanted prostheses have shown a deterioration of the metallic bearing surfaces, but quantitative data is sparse. New non-contacting surface profilemeters would allow information, in this crucial area of joint replacement, to be acquired efficiently, with unparalleled accuracy and as a true 3-dimentional representation.
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