Magnetic suspension hip joint: an ideal design of an artificial joint

Artificial joints present certain problems such as osteal absorption and lysis induced by wear debris which leads to loosening of the prosthesis over a period of time. Here we propose a design of an artificial magnetic suspension joint that was prepared by integrating the medical theories of modern material science, magnetism, and medical physics.

According to clinical characteristic of biological and mechanical for hip joint, we designed the appearance and dimensions of magnetic suspension joint and placed neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets in the prosthesis. As the same time, we performed mechanical and biological experiments using artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models.

By simulated the human hip structure and the external load, we discovered the artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models had much lesser amount and size of wear debris than the ceramic/ceramic artificial hip joint prosthesis in friction wear tests. The force between the artificial joints with magnetic materials that we have calculated is feasible for application of artificial joint. The design of artificial magnetic suspension hip joints models was plausible technically and safe biologically.

Artificial magnetic suspension hip joints may effectively reduce the incidence of the loosening of prosthesis over a period of time.