Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/T01013/01
Title:	Wear Prediction for Artificial Hip Joints: An Integrated Tribological Study of Contact Mechanics, Friction, Lubrication and Wear
Principal Investigator:	Jin, Professor Z
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Mechanical Engineering
Organisation:	University of Leeds
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 June 2005	Ends:	30 November 2008	Value (£):	136,890
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Biomaterials
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Minimising wear and wear particle related adverse biological reactions is critical in prolonging the life-expectancy of artificial joints. Wear studies are now an essential part of evaluating the functionality of existing artificial joints as well as new bearing materials. The majority of wear studies of hip implants are based on clinical and laboratory measurements, which are time-consuming and expensive to conduct. One of alternative approaches is theoretical modelling. Once established and validated, the theoretical models are particularly useful for providing initial screening analyses and complementing experimental tests. However, all the theoretical wear models developed are for conventional polyethylene hip implants and constant wear factors. Such an assumption is not applicable to alternative hip implants, such as cross-linked polyethylene cups and metal-on-metal material combinations. The aim of this study is to develop a theoretical wear model, by integrating both material combinations and lubrication regimes and coupling contact mechanics, lubrication and wear in an integrated tribological study. The theoretical wear model will be validated against the simulator testing extensively conducted in the literature. The present proposal will provide a closer link between theoretical and experimental studies, offering the potential of a holistic approach, and a better understanding of the tribological problems of artificial joints. The outcome from the proposed study will be expected to provide a springboard to the future development of a virtue hip simulator, adding to the portfolio of computer-based techniques for the preclinical evaluation of orthopaedic devices, in reducing both time and costs.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.leeds.ac.uk