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This study aims to evaluate and compare the properties of a biomedical clinically established zirconium nitride (ZrN) multilayer coating prepared using two different techniques: pulsed magnetron sputtering and cathodic arc deposition. The investigation focuses on the crystalline structure, grain size, in-vitro oxidation behaviour and tribological performance of these two coating techniques. Experimental findings demonstrate that the sputter deposition process resulted in a distinct crystalline structure and smaller grain size compared to the arc deposition process. Furthermore, in vitro oxidation caused oxygen to penetrate the surface of the sputtered ZrN top layer to a depth of 700 nm compared to 280 nm in the case of the arc-deposited coating. Finally, tribological testing revealed the improved wear rate of the ZrN multilayer coating applied by sputter deposition.

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BACKGROUND: Early total knee arthroplasty failures continue to surface in the literature. Cementation technique and implant design are two of the most important scenarios that can affect implant survivorship. Our objectives were to develop a more suitable preclinical test to evaluate the endurance of the implant-cement-bone interface under anterior shear and internal-external (I/E) torsional shear testing condition in a biomechanical sawbones. METHODS: Implants tested included the AS VEGA System PS and the AS Columbus CR/PS (Aesculap AG, Germany), with zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating. Tibial implants were evaluated under anterior shear and I/E torsional shear conditions with 6 samples in 4 test groups. For the evaluation of the I/E torsional shear endurance behavior, a test setup was created allowing for clinically relevant I/E rotation with simultaneous high axial/tibio-femoral load. The test was performed with an I/E displacement of ±17.2°, for 1 million cycles with an axial preload of 3,000 N. RESULTS: After the anterior shear test an implant-cement-bone fixation strength for the AS VEGA System tibial tray of 2,674 ± 754 N and for the AS Columbus CR/PS tibial tray of 2,177 ± 429 N was determined (P = .191). After I/E rotational shear testing an implant-cement-bone fixation strength for the AS VEGA System PS tray of 2,561 ± 519 N and for the AS Columbus CR/PS tray of 2,824 ± 515 N was resulted (P = .39). CONCLUSION: Both methods had varying degrees of failure modes from debonding to failure of the sawbones foam. These two intense biomechanical loading tests are more strenuous and more representative of clinical activity.

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RESUMEN

The long term performance of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with regards to the bearing materials is related to the aging behaviour of these materials. The use of highly crosslinked materials in hip arthroplasty improved the clinical outcome. Nevertheless, the outcome for these materials compared to conventional UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) remains controversial in TKA and alternative bearing materials may be advantageous to improve its outcome in the second and third decade. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the influence of radiation conditions on the wear behaviour of Vitamin E blended UHMWPE gliding components for TKA by simulation of extended aging and high demanding daily patient activities. For a medium radiation dose (30 kGy), the influence of the irradiation type (E-beam or Gamma radiation) and the thermal conditions (room temperature (RT) or heated to 115 °C) are evaluated in comparison to non-irradiated material. Significant influences on the wear behaviour were found for the radiation source and temperature during irradiation. Furthermore, no relevant degradation of the tested materials was observed after extended artificial aging. There was a good correspondence between the wear pattern in this study and retrievals.

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Total knee arthroplasty is a well established treatment for degenerative joint disease, which is also performed as a treatment in younger and middle-aged patients who have a significant physical activity and high life expectancy. However, complications may occur due to biological responses to wear particles, as well as local and systemic hypersensitivity reactions triggered by metal ions and particles such as cobalt, chromium and molybdenum. The purpose of the study was to perform a highly demanding activities (HDA) knee wear simulation in order to compare the wear characteristics and metal ion release barrier function of a zirconium nitride (ZrN) coated knee implant, designed for patients with suspected metal ion hypersensitivity, against an uncoated knee implant made out of CoCrMo. The load profiles were applied for 5 million HDA cycles, which represent 15-30 years of in vivo service depending on the activity level of the patient. Results showed a significant wear rate reduction for the coated group (1.01 ±â€¯0.29 mg/million cycles) in comparison with the uncoated group (2.89 ±â€¯1.04 mg/million cycles). The zirconium nitride coating showed no sign of scratches nor delamination during the wear simulation, whereas the uncoated femurs showed characteristic wear scratches in the articulation areas. Furthermore, the metal ion release from the coated implants was reduced up to three orders of magnitude in comparison with the uncoated implants. These results demonstrate the efficiency of zirconium nitride coated knee implants to reduce wear as well as to substantially reduce metal ion release in the knee joint.

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Backside wear due to micromotion and poor conformity between the liner and its titanium alloy shell may contribute to the high rates of retroacetabular osteolysis and consequent aseptic loosening. The purpose of our study was to understand the wear process on the backside of polyethylene liners from two acetabular cup systems, whose locking mechanism is based on a press-fit cone in combination with a rough titanium conical inner surface on the fixation area. A direct comparison between in vitro wear simulator tests (equivalent to 3 years of use) and retrieved liners (average 13.1 months in situ) was done in order to evaluate the backside wear characteristics and behavior of these systems. Similar wear scores between in vitro tested and retrieved liners were observed. The results showed that this locking mechanism did not significantly produce wear marks at the backside of the polyethylene liners due to micromotion. In all the analyzed liners, the most common wear modes observed were small scratches at the cranial fixation zone directly below the rough titanium inner surface of the shell. It was concluded that most of the wear marks were produced during the insertion and removal of the liner, rather than during its time in situ.

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