Title: Development and evaluation of a multi-axis biomechanical testing apparatus for knee

Authors: Jena L. Dressler, Richard T. Ng, Alidad Amirfazli, Jason P. Carey

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada

Abstract: This work describes the design and capabilities of a multi-axis biomechanical testing apparatus (MABTA). This loading frame was designed and developed to conduct in-vitro experiments on cadaveric human, animal and composite specimens while simulating loading poses taken from gait cycles, but applied in a quasi-static fashion. The purpose of this study was to develop a high standard apparatus with high repeatability for experimenting with composite and biological tissues. MABTA features three manually adjustable rotational axes: flexion-extension, varus-valgus and internal-external, as well as three translational load applications: proximal-distal, medial-lateral and anterior-posterior. MABTA can apply loads up to 4,448 N in the proximaldistal direction and 2,224 N in the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior directions. MABTA is capable of rotating to 100° flexion, 50° hyperextension, 20° in the varus-valgus direction and 30° in the internal-external direction. This apparatus can be used to evaluate human, animal and composite specimens in various physiological positions for validating finite element models, investigating anterior cruciate ligament fixations, patellar dislocation forces at various degree of flexion-extension and exploring the design of total knee prostheses. MABTA can provide good strain results and good repeatability between tests when testing with a third generation composite tibia and femur.

Keywords: biomechanical testing apparatus; knee testing; composite tibia and femur; quasi-static; strain; multi-axis test apparatus; in-vitro experiments; biomechanics; simulation; loading poses; gait cycles; composite tissues; biological tissues; finite element method; FEM; modelling; anterior cruciate ligament fixations; patellar dislocation forces; flexion extension prosthesis design; total knee prostheses.

DOI: 10.1504/IJECB.2010.035261

International Journal of Experimental and Computational Biomechanics, 2010 Vol.1 No.3, pp.271 - 295

Published online: 18 Sep 2010 *

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