Three-dimensional measurements of the pressure distribution in artificial joints with a capacitive sensor array

A spherically folded capacitive pressure sensor array is introduced and characterized. By placing the sensor array between the ball and the cavity of artificial joints, the pressure distribution within the joint was recorded with spatial resolution for different size matching between the ball and the cavity, for different directions of loading and for joints with incomplete cavities. The performance of the sensor array is analyzed, possible fields of application as well as its limitations are discussed.