title: Prediction of lubrication regimes in two-piece metacarpophalangeal prostheses.
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 50 N, a range of entraining velocities from 0 to 30 mm/s, and a range of prosthesis radii from 3 to 10 mm. 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.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Rehabilitation and Engineering Studies, School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Stephenson Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK. t.j.joyce@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Joyce
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008153:Lubrication; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology