Hip Joint Implant Testing

What Is Hip Joint Implant Testing?

Hip joint implant testing is vital for ensuring the hip joint implants can withstand several loading scenarios during daily activities or under worst case conditions. Hip joint implants must undergo the necessary testing to see if they comply with international standards.

Applus+ Laboratories provides a complete testing service for medical devices, helping clients with their hip joint implant development to improve it for testing, as well as providing the full lifecycle simulation testing to prepare it for the body.

What Hip Implant Testing Services Do We Offer?

At Applus+ Laboratories, hip joint implant testing involves static and fatigue testing, wear testing, and corrosion assessment to put the implant through its paces. These tests are performed against ISO and ASTM standards that evaluate the overall safety and durability of the implant for patients.

Static and Fatigue Testing for Hip Joint Implants

Hip joint implants are tested to see how they cope under single, heavy loads as well as repetitive loads in order to simulate what an implant will go through during its lifetime. We test against the following standards:

• ISO 7206-4
  Dynamic femoral hip stem tests to determine the endurance properties by simulating proximal loosening.
• ISO 7206-6
  Dynamic femoral hip neck tests to determine the endurance properties of the neck region.
• ISO 7206-10
  Static test to assess the fixation strength of the femoral head-taper interface against tensile loading. In addition, compression testing determines the ultimate compression strength under static compression.
• ISO 7206-12
  Static uniaxial load testing to evaluate the deformation characteristics of acetabular shells with and without insert.
• ISO 7206-13
  Static test to assess the fixation strength of the femoral head-taper interface against torsional loading.
• ASTM F1820
  Where we measure the forces required to disassemble modular acetabular components using defined push-out, lever-out and torque out methods.
• ASTM F2345
  Static and dynamic compression test for ceramic femoral heads for determination of ultimate compressive strength in pristine and post-fatigue conditions.
• ASTM F2582
  Dynamic impingement between femoral and acetabular components in a hip replacement to assess qualitative damage modes and if necessary qualitative changes in modular component attachment strength.

Wear Testing for Hip Joint Implants

We perform wear testing on hip joint implants to assess the material degradation and wear over a defined period. We simulate the same pressures, stress, and general wear that a hip joint would ordinarily go through in order to test for the implant’s durability. We perform wear testing against the following standards:

• ISO 14242-1
  Here we simulate the wear of the hip joint under normal walking conditions.
• ISO 14242-2
  We conduct gravimetric analysis to evaluate the wear of hip joint implants and perform detailed particle analyses to assess the wear particles produced.
• ISO 14242-3
  Here we recreate additional loading scenarios like edge loading in order to test the hip joint implant for its endurance against localised stress and deep bending or twisting.
• ISO 17853/ASTM F1877
  Assessment of the morphology of particles generated during wear testing.

Corrosion Testing for Hip Joint Implants

Since a hip joint implant often consists of several modular metallic components, corrosion assessments are important to investigate the fretting corrosion resistance even when non-corrosive medical metal alloys are combined. We test hip joint implants against:

• ASTM F1875
  Testing of femoral hip stems to determine the amount of damage by measurement of the production of corrosion products and particulate debris from fretting and fretting corrosion under cyclic loading. Damage is also assessed by characterisation of the damage to the bore and cone surfaces of the hip system.
  
  Here we test the hip joint implant according to simulated bodily conditions for temperature, pH levels, and proteins, to see how chemical reactions might degrade the metallic surfaces over time.

Our Testing Facilities and Equipment for Hip Implant Testing

At Applus+ Laboratories, we perform hip joint implant testing using state-of-the-art equipment that accurately and dependably simulates real-world use as well as comply with the necessary standards.

Our multi-station hip wear simulator is equipped with 5 controllable axes, allowing for simultaneous testing of up to 16 different implants. This enables us to assess the implants' responses to different fitting types, fixation methods, and articulating material combinations.

Our facilities allow for hip joint implants to be loaded for up to ten million cycles in the anatomically correct position under physiologic conditions in our laboratories, accurately simulating a lifetime’s use in a few weeks.

What Are the Benefits of Hip Implant Testing?

Given that hip joint implants need to be durable and safe for patients to benefit from, performing the necessary tests is imperative to get your product to market as quickly as possible.

Improving Safety and Efficacy for Hip Joint Implants Testing

With more innovative materials for implants being tested, hip joint implant testing is a sure-fire way to make sure the materials and designs for implants are safe and comply with regulations. Undergoing the stringent tests can assess the safety and efficiency of materials to both foster innovation and bring safer products to patients.

Compliance with International Standards for Hip Joint Implants

Complying with international standards means being able to expand market access for your hip joint implants allowing a much faster development to market pipeline when it comes to expanding abroad. Since these standards are internationally recognised, complying with them bolsters your credibility in the global marketplace.

Why Choose Applus+ Laboratories for Hip Joint Implant Testing?

Choosing Applus+ Laboratories for your hip joint implant testing means partnering with a leader in medical device testing solutions.

We provide high-quality, ASTM and ISO-compliant testing services that ensure the accuracy and reliability of your hip implant products. Our comprehensive range of testing capabilities, coupled with our commitment to client service, makes us the ideal partner for all your hip implant testing needs.

Applus+ Laboratories strives to be a one-stop shop for medical device testing, offering a full range of services that can speed up your time to market. We offer:

• Development testing and advice on improvements
• Full lifecycle testing
• Product and process qualification with batch release tests
• Contract Manufacturing Organisation services

With a presence in multiple countries, we can deliver our testing services to customers around the world, ensuring you have access to the best in hip implant testing no matter where you are.

Let Applus+ Laboratories be your trusted partner for all your hip implant testing needs. We can support your projects with our high-quality services and expert guidance.