Friedrich Franek Libri

This comprehensive work explores various aspects of tribology and wear mechanisms in joint prostheses. It examines the role of synovia in the wear of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) hip liners and presents findings on retrieved hip liners. A new apparatus is introduced for in-vitro investigations of tribocorrosion at the bone-implant interface, alongside studies on friction and wear reduction in ceramic-on-ceramic sliding pairs. The impact of electromagnetic and electric fields on joint lubricity is discussed, as well as the contact mechanics of graded layered bearing surfaces for knee prostheses. The effects of sliding direction and dissolved oxygen on the wear properties of ceramics and silicon carbide are analyzed. Additionally, lubrication analysis for metal-on-metal hip joint prostheses is conducted, and a new screening method for tribological investigations of artificial joints is proposed. The work delves into biotribology, examining synovial joint lubrication and cartilage wear, and addresses the biological activity of wear debris from artificial hip joints. It also outlines a revision protocol for total hip arthroplasty and discusses wear testing according to ISO standards. Historical developments and future trends in tribology for total hip and knee arthroplasties are highlighted, alongside the roles of ceramics and metal-on-metal pairings. Finally, mathematical simulations of forces in human gait a