Making to high performance U.H.M.W.P.E. liner for an artificial hip joint

Abstract

An artificial hip joint has some problems. An artificial femoral head was made of a cobalt-chromium alloy that has cytotoxicity. The liner was an artificial cartilage that made of ultrahigh-molecule weight polyethylene (U.H.M.W.P.E.). The U.H.M.W.P.E. liner abrasion makes osteoclast activation, bone lysis and the artificial hip joint loosening. Therefore, there are needs for performance improvement and making to long life the artificial hip joint. In last time, it was reported that a foamed U.H.M.W.P.E. has an impact cushioning ability. And the report showed the possibility that can use an artificial femoral head made of a high-biocompatible alumina ceramics. The purpose of our work was to cushion an impact by foaming a liner and prevent an abrasion by D.L.C. coating to the U.H.M.W.P.E. liner.