Resumo

DI PAOLO, J  e  BERLI, M.E. Lubrication predictions for total knee prosthesis made of hard materials. Lat. Am. appl. res. [online]. 2015, vol.45, n.1, pp. 45-50. ISSN 1851-8796.

The lubricated contact zone in a total knee prosthesis is modeled, where femoral and tibial components are supposed to be made of hard materials (high stiffness and hardness) and lubricated by a non Newtonian fluid (synovial liquid). To determine optimal relations among geometric parameters, load and film thickness, a generalized Reynolds equation was solved by means of finite element method. Although mix lubrication regime is predominant, it is shown that increasing conformity, it could be assure a full-film lubrication regime in most of the gait cycle. These results might be a reference to make more durable total knee prostheses

Palavras-chave : Knee Prosthesis; Lubrication; Ceramic to Ceramic Contact; Film Thickness; Finite Element Method.