In its search for a more rapid screening device for artificial joints, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has joined forces with four US companies.
Those involved in the Orthopaedic Accelerated Wear Resistance Consortium include Biomet Inc and Zimmer Inc, both of Warsaw, Indiana and Johnson & Johnson Professional Inc, Raynham, Massachusetts and Osteonics Corp, Allendale, New Jersey.
Innovative devices have long been necessary to speed up the screening of new materials for orthopaedic implants, says NIST. Currently, it takes about six months for conventional equipment to simulate the natural wear of artificial hips. Such a long testing period means higher R&D costs for companies which are trying to bring improved products to the maket.
The machine developed by the Consortium, under the umbrella of cooperative research and development agreements, can evaluate a diverse combination of materials, produces debris and changes in surface texture resembling wear that implants have in the body and can complete a screening in about one week.
The next step, say NIST researchers, is to use the machine to study how potential, alternative implant materials, other than the standard ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene paired with a cobalt/chromium alloy, withstand the effects of motion, environment and a variety of stress-loading cycles that represent the physical routines of different people.
For further information, contact: John Tesk, A143 Polymer Building, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, USA; tel: +1-301-975-6799; e-mail: john.tesk@nist.gov; Internet address: http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/news.htm
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