Fabrication and Corrosion of Hip Prostheses

Length: 3 weeks

Aims: To consider the material selection and fabrication of hip prostheses, and consider the degradation of materials in the body.

Key Skills: Group work, communication and independent study

Student Output: Group report and presentation


This is a group-based case study that looks at the material selection for hip prostheses and their fabrication. It also highlights mechanisms for corrosion of metals in the body.  An introductory lecture gives you information on

Overview of metals used in hip prostheses: stainless steel, CoCrMo and Ti

  • Methods for fabrication of hip prostheses: emphasis on forging
  • Mechanisms of corrosion of metals in the boy with reference to
    - pitting corrosion
    - crevice corrosion
    - galvanic corrosion
    - fretting
    - sensitisation

Groups will be given a different title for investigation. These are

  • Modularisation of hip prostheses
  • Crevice and fretting corrosion in prostheses
  • Metal-on-metal hip prostheses
  • Release of metals into the body from hip prostheses
  • Alloy selection for hip prostheses
  • You are expected to work together in your teams independently to research your topic.

Assessment

Each group must produce a 2-page report and a 10-minute presentation. Both the report and presentation must focus on corrosion, and how it contributes to 'failure' of hip prostheses. The report should be word-processed and give all the members the names of all group members. A third page should give full references for all your sources (web addresses for web sites, and all authors, journal etc. for papers). You should number your references and cite the number as the reference in the text. Information from scientific papers must be included. (Tips on report writing)

The presentation should make good use of overheads (including images and diagrams is strongly encouraged). The presenters should not read directly from notes from their overheads during the presentation. At the end of the presentation, related questions will be asked of other members of the group. Anyone not attending the session will receive no marks. (Tips on giving effective presentations)

The final mark for the case study will include a component for effort to be determined by the group.

Resources

Sources of information include

  • the scientific literature (see Web of Science etc)
  • online magazines, e.g. Orthopedics Today
  • information from manufacturers

http://www.orthoguide.com/ortho/

http://www.slackinc.com/bone/ortoday/othome.asp

http://www.metasul.com/

http://www.ortho-u.net/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/cbm/hip-repl.html

http://www.allina.com/Allina_Journal/Fall1996/aamoth.html

http://www.biomet.com/

http://www.vard.org/prog/98/98prch10.htm

http://www.worldortho.com/

http://www.totaljoints.info/orthopaedic_metal_alloys.htm

http://mse.cornell.edu/courses/engri119/Class_Notes/joint_replacements.html

http://biomech.jhu.edu/Projects/chu/Default.htm

http://materials.qmul.ac.uk/casestud/implants/

http://www.endoplus.co.uk/NICE/nice-index.htm

http://orthopedics.about.com/blhipreplacemnt1.htm

http://www.aaos.org/wordhtml/press/loosen.htm

http://www.azom.com/Details.asp?ArticleID=1520

http://www.emedicine.com/orthoped/topic610.htm

http://www3.aaos.org/implant/01chapter.pdf

http://www.pharmabriefing.com/businessbriefing/pdf/mdev2002/publication/Gibson.pdf

http://www.geocities.com/hip_replacements/material.htm