A universal mechanical tester to study biotribology of tissue and biomaterial surfaces

Problems due to increased friction and wear occur mainly in an ageing and active population because of the stiffening of the tissue and imbalance of vital body fluids which lubricate the joints and organs. Often the loss in function is restored with the help of prosthesis and implants, which are often also accompanied with problems, due to an un-optimized biotic-abiotic interface. A universal mechanical tester together with a potentiostat/galvanostat will be used to solve some of the
important present day problems like the need of a biostable artificial meniscus, reduction of wear debris and metal ion release from artificial joints, wear-less non-fusion scoliosis correction device and better saliva and tear substitutes for patients with Sjögren’s syndrome.