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Influence of analyzed lubricant volumes on the amount and characteristics of generated wear particles from three different types of polyethylene liner materials
Author(s) -
Markhoff Jana,
Zietz Carmen,
Fabry Christian,
Fulda Gerhard,
Bader Rainer
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.33944
Subject(s) - lubricant , polyethylene , materials science , particle (ecology) , composite material , particle size , abrasive , volume (thermodynamics) , total hip replacement , chemical engineering , surgery , medicine , oceanography , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , geology
Abstract The articulating components of artificial joints consist mainly of metals, ceramics, or polymers. Resulting abrasive wear particles can promote osteolysis and aseptic loosening of the endo‐prosthetic implants. Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight‐polyethylene is the material used most for bearing couples in total hip replacement. In the present study, three types of polyethylene (PE) liners varying in material composition, i.e., (1) conventional PE (C‐PE), (2) sequentially cross‐linked PE (SX‐PE), (3) cross‐linked PE blended with vitamin E (EX‐PE) articulating with two types of femoral heads were used. After ultrasound treatment of each simulator lubricant, different concentrations (0.1/0.25/0.5/1.0 mL) were taken and dissolved in hydrochloric acid (37%) in a similar manner. The aim was to analyze the characteristics of wear particles generated in a hip simulator, with respect to different volumes of the lubricant. Within the scope of particle analysis, distinct alterations for particle characteristics were determined in the lubricant volumes and types of PE material used. A significant decrease in particle number for SX‐PE liners, compared to the C‐PE inserts and even more for EX‐PE inserts, was detected at each lubricant volume. Particle morphologies varied depending on PE material. Alterations in particle size and other morphologic parameters between the four tested volumes, could be proven for each PE type. In general, particle sizes and parameters (e.g., length and width) increased with increasing serum volumes. In conclusion, the chosen volume of the simulator lubricant used for particle analysis has a crucial influence on detected particle number, size distribution, and morphologic parameters. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1299–1306, 2018.