Tripolar Cup Intermediate Component Motion Analysis

Principal Investigator: Daniel J. Berry, M.D.
Project Coordinator: Frank Chen — chen.qingshan@mayo.edu

Differential motion between the inner and the outer bearing surfaces has been studied in the past for bipolar implants with contradictory results on location and sequence of the motion. To our knowledge, no scientific data documenting the intermediate component motion for tripolar implants is available.

To assess the differential motion between the inner and the outer bearing surfaces of a tripolar implant, we used motion analysis cameras and reflective markers on the intermediate component. We were able to assess the location and the sequence of the tripolar implant motion. Tests are currently running to assess the influence of the load, the speed, and lubrification conditions on the tripolar implant differential motion.