Kinematics Studies

Orthopaedic kinematics studies involve exercising a cadaveric specimen, performing a surgical procedure or implanting a device such as a femoral stern component, knee or hip replacement component, and then re-exercising and reexamining the specimen to analyze how the implanted device affects its motion. Studies require different loading schemes depending on the product. Knee replacement components require axial loading (to 5 kN), torsion (tibial rotation >20°) and flexion/extension up to 120°. Hip replacement components require biaxial rotation. Spinal implants require flexion/extension, lateral bending and axial rotation as well as complex combined motions.

MTS offers dedicated subsystems for performing kinematics studies of orthopaedic components for the knee, hip and spine. These subsystems combine with tabletop servohydraulic test systems, digital controllers and application software to create complete solutions for biomechanical research. Important capabilities of these subsystems include:

Knee
• Active control and actuation for simulation of displacements and forces to model 
   physiological conditions for an anatomical knee specimen
• Optional actuators for simulation of the hamstring and quadriceps forces

Hip
• Compliance with ASTM and ISO test criteria for femoral stern components
• Axial loading plus rotation to simulate walking (biaxial rocking)
• Extension/flexion, adduction/abduction, internal/external rotation for hip arthroplasty
   components

Spine
• Pure bending, axial loading or combined torsion/flexion
• Multichannel and axial/torsion systems for analyzing skeletal tissue and
   orthopaedic constructs
• Low friction and high stiffness for more accurate spinal simulation