Abstract: In a previous paper [1] the authors established the basis for implementing control strategies for some Knee Prosthesis Simulator by intermediate of Programmable Logical Controllers in Open Architecture structure. The authors describe there a method for estimating the fatigue wear based on experimental tests and numerical simulations of tribological behavior of the Knee Prosthesis under common activities loading. But the loading cycles are standard ones from the literature, it means that could be significant differences between the loadings used in simulator and the real ones especially when abnormal walking is still maintaining after Knee Arthroplasty. It results that, due to the cumulative nature of fatigue wear, these differences will accumulate leading to inaccurate predictions on prosthesis fatigue. This work try to present a more complex procedure which allows for transferring the real loads from the patient artificial knee to the knee simulator control system, by intermediate of kinematic acquisition, evaluation of joint loadings and dynamic simulation of joint contact. Practically, the data resulting from motion analysis of the patient activities will be processed by a specialized code (AnyBody Modelling System) which will determinate the motion dynamic loadings of the joint. Based on these processed data, a detailed joint tribological model will allow for determination of contact dynamics based on Finite Element Analyses and will generate the customized evolution of each one of the controlled knee simulator degrees of freedoms. Use of the method described here will generally improve the accuracy of lifetime predictions based on experimental data obtained in a Knee Prosthesis Simulator, allowing for customizing the tests for each patient.


Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Title of qualification awarded: Senior Researcher; Head of Tribology and Biotribology Department, Scientific Manager of Institute of Solid Mechanics of Romanian Academy. Principal subjects-occupational skills covered: Tribology of classic materials, fatigue wear, lubrication, contact mechanics; Tribology of plastics and composite materials; Biotribology of Knee and Hip Endoprostheses. Doctorate coordinator in Tribology and Biotribology. Main subjects and professional skills: PhD studies related to friction and wear of thermoplastics reinforced with glass fibers. Member of Academic Assosiations: Full Member of European Society of Biomechanics (ESB), Founder member of Romanian Association of Tribology. Main author of 4 books in tribology of composite materials and biotribology of orthopedic prostheses.