Ceramtec Ag, Innovative Ceramic Engineering

Cerasiv Gmbh Innovatives Keramik-engineering

Martin Wimmer

Herbert Richter

Hans-Georg Pfaff

Ralph Autenrieth

Gerd Willmann

Christian Worne

A method tests a ceramic socket insert of a hip joint endoprosthesis in which, in use, a spherical head articulates against a functional inner surface of a ceramic socket insert which is anchored in a pelvic bone by means of a socket housing. The method includes providing the ceramic socket insert in a holding arrangement, applying a predetermined pressing force to a predetermined sub-area of the functional inner surface of the ceramic socket insert, and applying a supporting force to a sub-area of an outer surface of the ceramic socket insert to counteract the pressing force. The predetermined sub-area of the functional inner surface symmetrically surrounds a pole of the inner surface of a ceramic socket insert. The predetermined force is such that stresses generated in the ceramic socket insert are higher than stresses generated in the case of a physiological load.

Method for testing ceramic socket inserts of hip joint endoprostheses

A ceramic socket or ceramic socket insert for a hip joint prosthesis is tested prior to implantation in a human body by subjecting the portions of the interior of the socket or socket insert to a load that generates stresses that are greater than the physiological load. This may be accomplished either by pressing a hemispherically-shaped deformable material such as polymer or plastic into the interior of the socket or socket insert or by exposing the interior of the socket or socket insert to a fluid under pressure. The interior of the socket or socket insert may be sealed off with a test punch that has a supply line for the fluid. To reduce the amount of fluid that is required, the test punch may have a bulge that projects into the interior of the socket or socket insert and leaves only a gap for the fluid. In the method of testing, the interior of the socket or socket insert is subjected to a load that generates stress such that a defective socket or socket insert is destroyed and a non-defective socket or socket insert survives unharmed.

Method of testing ceramic cotyloid cavities for hip joint endoprostheses

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Fellbach, Germany

Martin Wimmer