Prediction of lubrication regimes in two-piece metacarpophalangeal prostheses

Med Eng Phys. 2007 Jan;29(1):87-92. doi: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2006.02.004. Epub 2006 Jul 28.

Abstract

Various designs of two-piece finger prosthesis with conforming spherical surfaces have been proposed. These were compared by calculating the lubrication regime for the material combinations and operating conditions expected at the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers. Consideration was given to a range of loads from 2 to 50 N, a range of entraining velocities from 0 to 30 mm/s, and a range of prosthesis radii from 3 to 10 mm. This theoretical lubrication analysis indicated that the optimum material combination of those available for two-piece metacarpophalangeal prostheses is in the order: ceramic-on-ceramic; metal-on-metal; pyrocarbon-on-pyrocarbon; and metal-on-polymer. However, it should be recognised that other factors may take precedence when choosing a material combination for a design of finger prosthesis.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Friction
  • Humans
  • Joint Prosthesis*
  • Lubrication
  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint / physiology*
  • Metacarpophalangeal Joint / surgery*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface Properties
  • Weight-Bearing / physiology