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Characterisation of wear particles produced by metal on metal and ceramic on metal hip prostheses under standard and microseparation simulation

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Abstract

The failure of metal on polyethylene total hip replacements due to wear particle induced osteolysis and late aseptic loosening has focused interest upon alternative bearings, such as metal on metal implants. A recent advance in this field has been the development of a novel ceramic on metal implant. The characteristics of the wear particles generated in this low-wearing bearing have not been previously determined. The aims of this study were to characterise metal wear particles from metal on metal and ceramic on metal hips under standard and adverse (microseparation) wear conditions. Accurate characterisation of cobalt-chrome wear particles is difficult since the reactive nature of the particles prevents them from being isolated using acids and bases. A method was developed to isolate the metal wear particles using enzymes to digest serum containing lubricants from metal on metal and ceramic on metal hip simulations. High resolution scanning electron microscopy was then used to characterise the wear particles generated by both metal on metal and ceramic on metal implants under standard and microseparation wear conditions. The wear particles isolated from all simulations had a mean size of less than 50 nm with a rounded and irregular morphology. No significant difference was found between the size of wear particles generated under any conditions.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a case studentship from the EPSRC and Depuy International, Leeds, UK. Thanks go to John Harrington for his help with the FEGSEM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, West Yorkshire, LS2 9JT, UK

    Christopher Brown, Sophie Williams, Joanne L Tipper, John Fisher & Eileen Ingham

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  1. Christopher Brown
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  2. Sophie Williams
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  3. Joanne L Tipper
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  4. John Fisher
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  5. Eileen Ingham
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Correspondence to Christopher Brown.

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Brown, C., Williams, S., Tipper, J.L. et al. Characterisation of wear particles produced by metal on metal and ceramic on metal hip prostheses under standard and microseparation simulation. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 18, 819–827 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-006-0015-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-006-0015-z

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