Prediction of lubrication regimes in two-piece metacarpophalangeal prostheses

Joyce, Thomas J.

doi:10.1016/j.medengphy.2006.02.004

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Volume 29, Issue 1 , Pages 87-92, January 2007

Prediction of lubrication regimes in two-piece metacarpophalangeal prostheses

Centre for Rehabilitation and Engineering Studies (CREST), School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Stephenson Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK

Received 23 November 2005; accepted 2 February 2006. published online 31 July 2006.

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 50N, a range of entraining velocities from 0 to 30mm/s, and a range of prosthesis radii from 3 to 10mm. 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.