Hip Simulator Testing

The development of new, highly sophisticated materials for the articulating surfaces of total hip endoprostheses has led to an increasing demand for testing and verification. This includes tests and research regarding bio-compatibility, static load bearing capacity of the prostheses as well as tribological (wear) investigations. Wear debris plays a dominant role in the osteolytic loosening of implants [19,22] and therefore wear testing becomes especially important with newly developed materials (eg composite ceramics, 2nd generation metal-on-metal bearings, cross-linked polyethylene). A reduction of wear extends the service life of endoprostheses.