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Instrumented knee replacements can provide in vivo data quantifying physiological loads acting on the knee. To date instrumented mobile unicompartmental knee replacements (UKR) have not been realised. Ideally instrumentation would be embedded within the polyethylene bearing. This study investigated the feasibility of an embedded flexible capacitive load sensor. A novel flexible capacitive load sensor was developed which could be incorporated into standard manufacturing of compression moulded polyethylene bearings. Dynamic experiments were performed to determine the characteristics of the sensor on a uniaxial servo-hydraulic material testing machine. The instrumented bearing was measured at sinusoidal frequencies between 0.1 and 10Hz, allowing for measurement of typical gait load magnitudes and frequencies. These correspond to frequencies of interest in physiological loading. The loads that were applied were a static load of 390N, corresponding to an equivalent body weight load for UKR, and a dynamic load of ±293N. The frequency transfer response of the sensor suggests a low pass filter response with a -3dB frequency of 10Hz. The proposed embedded capacitive load sensor was shown to be applicable for measuring in vivo loads within a polyethylene mobile UKR bearing.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.medengphy.2017.05.002

Type

Journal article

Journal

Med eng phys

Publication Date

08/2017

Volume

46

Pages

44 - 53

Keywords

Capacitive load sensor, Flexible sensor, In vitro, Load measurement, Polyimide, Tibiofemoral forces, UHMWPE mechanical behaviour, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee, Electricity, Materials Testing, Proof of Concept Study, Prosthesis Design, Weight-Bearing