Multiscale design and multiobjective optimization of orthopedic hip implants with functionally graded cellular material

J Biomech Eng. 2012 Mar;134(3):031004. doi: 10.1115/1.4006115.

Abstract

Revision surgeries of total hip arthroplasty are often caused by a deficient structural compatibility of the implant. Two main culprits, among others, are bone-implant interface instability and bone resorption. To address these issues, in this paper we propose a novel type of implant, which, in contrast to current hip replacement implants made of either a fully solid or a foam material, consists of a lattice microstructure with nonhomogeneous distribution of material properties. A methodology based on multiscale mechanics and design optimization is introduced to synthesize a graded cellular implant that can minimize concurrently bone resorption and implant interface failure. The procedure is applied to the design of a 2D left implanted femur with optimized gradients of relative density. To assess the manufacturability of the graded cellular microstructure, a proof-of-concept is fabricated by using rapid prototyping. The results from the analysis are used to compare the optimized cellular implant with a fully dense titanium implant and a homogeneous foam implant with a relative density of 50%. The bone resorption and the maximum value of interface stress of the cellular implant are found to be over 70% and 50% less than the titanium implant while being 53% and 65% less than the foam implant.

MeSH terms

  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* / adverse effects
  • Bone Resorption / etiology
  • Bone Resorption / prevention & control
  • Femur / physiopathology
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Hip*
  • Humans
  • Polypropylenes / chemistry
  • Porosity
  • Prosthesis Design / methods*
  • Prosthesis Failure
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Polypropylenes