Load-bearing implants must sustain great static and dynamic forces. Most of them stand in the human body under continuous cyclic loading. For its qualification as a commercial product, it isn’t enough to show computer simulation results or FEA-calculations to prove the implant’s safety. To guarantee its functionality and safety during patients life activities, numerous mechanical and chemical tests have to be conducted:

•  extraction tests (neck, head) – figure 1

•  tests under different loading conditions (static load, manual gentle impaction or dynamic loading) – figure 2

•  fretting and corrosion tests – figure 2

•  fatigue mechanical strength tests – figure 3

   
In the case of ABG™II modular it took not less than 2 years of intensive testing to bring the confidence for Stryker that the product is ready for market. Not only hip implants but also surgical instruments must correspond to national guidances to be accepted for clinical use. All Stryker implants are tested well beyond any national or international norms. For detailed information on ABG™II modular's mechanical test results, click here.

In addition to mechanical and chemical tests, the implant and surgical instruments will be evaluated on patients or simulated in human specimens (figure 4).


                    Fig. 4