title: Nano-material aspects of shock absorption in bone joints.
abstract: This theoretical study is based on a nano-technological evaluation of the effect of pressure on the composite bone fine structure. It turned out, that the well known macroscopic mechano-elastic performance of bones in combination with muscles and tendons is just one functional aspect which is critically supported by additional micro- and nano- shock damping technology aimed at minimising local bone material damage within the joints and supporting spongy bone material. The identified mechanisms comprise essentially three phenomena localised within the three-dimensional spongy structure with channels and so called perforated flexible tensulae membranes of different dimensions intersecting and linking them. Kinetic energy of a mechanical shock may be dissipated within the solid-liquid composite bone structure into heat via the generation of quasi-chaotic hydromechanic micro-turbulence. It may generate electro-kinetic energy in terms of electric currents and potentials. And the resulting specific structural and surface electrochemical changes may induce the compressible intra-osseal liquid to build up pressure dependent free chemical energy. Innovative bone joint prostheses will have to consider and to be adapted to the nano-material aspects of shock absorption in the operated bones.
authors.affiliation: Retired from Free University Berlin, Institute for Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, 14195 Berlin, Takustrasse 3, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tributsch
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Copf
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Copf
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hindenlang
authors.forename: F U
authors.initials: FU
authors.lastname: Niethard
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schneider