The broad, long-term objective of this proposal is to commercialize optimized acrylic bone cement mixing and injection components which will improve the long-term fixation of orthopedic implants and reduce cost. Phase I of the project will aim to design and fabricate prototype cement mixing and injecting components for application to a femoral canal, validate their performance, and experimentally determine the resultant strengths of the cement-bone and cement-metal interfaces. The components will be designed to reduce cost by minimizing the number of disposable pans without compromising function. This work relates directly to the effectiveness and cost containment of joint implants, of which over 350,000 procedures were performed in the U.S. in 1993. The hypothesis that will be experimentally tested is that reducing the time from mixing onset to injection of the cement, increasing the injection shear rate, and ensuring radial pressurization of the cement in the bone canal will improve the strength of the cement-bone and cement-prosthesis interfaces. The hypothesis will be considered by comparing prototype designs to the existing current technology. With a team of research, design, manufacturing, and medical professionals, the tasks will be carried out in a concurrent engineering research and development environment.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
