A large proportion of the endoprostheses in use have a modular structure and are composed of various components, which can be made of different materials. Microscopic - especially electron microscopic - investigations of the structure of these materials play a major role in research to improve endoprostheses.
Exoprostheses have found their way into our everyday lives. Thanks to enormous technical advances, they are now also widely used in competitive sports. Here, in particular, the materials used must be adapted to the mechanical loads that occur, for example, during sprinting. Motion scientists and engineers mechanics can analyze the movements using modern techniques. The results are used for simulations and the development and manufacturing of the exoprostheses.
Screws, pins or plates made of metallic materials are used in countless operations, especially for fixations of bone fractures. In most cases, these are designed to remain in the human body for the short to medium term. Nevertheless, they must meet the highest requirements in terms of mechanical stability, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. From the point of view of materials science, this leads to major challenges, since even small changes in the chemical composition can have very large effects on the resulting properties.
The development of modern exoskeletons to support therapy and rehabilitation processes requires the complex interaction of various disciplines. Mechanical stability, connection to existing motor functions as well as reliably functioning sensors and controls must be ensured. This can only be achieved by close interdisciplinary cooperations between experts in the respective fields.
Cochlear implants for improving the quality of life of deaf persons can also be classified in the group of endoprostheses. The structure of the human auditory canal shown here, with its internal and external components, illustrates the complexity that must be taken into account in the development of hearing prostheses. In addition to the geometric and mechanical requirements, the interaction of sensors, mechatronics and electronics is of great importance.
Further application examples in the field of exoprosthetics are partial or complete hand prostheses. Thanks to major technical advances, these prostheses can take over the functions of the original components in addition to providing a visual replacement. For example, myoelectric prostheses can be used to perform grasping and holding movements of the fingers. The development of such prostheses requires the interdisciplinary cooperation of mechanics, simulation, electrical engineering, medicine and biology.
Stent implantation has become a standard operation in cardiology. Here is a schematic of the procedure during balloon angioplasty, in which the vessel is dilated with the help of a balloon and then held open by the inserted stent. In addition to the possibility of using absorbable materials for stents, these are often made of a nickel-titanium alloy with special properties. The development of these materials is also driven by interdisciplinary collaboration between different disciplines.
Exoskeletons fulfill highly complex mechanical, sensory and mechatronic requirements. They allow the support, facilitation or amplification of the wearer´s movements – an easement of everyday work in many areas made possible by interdisciplinary cooperation.
The design, development, optimization and manufacturing of surgical instruments, such as needles, cannulas or bone cutters, also represents a possible field of application for biomechanical engineering. Biocompatibility, mechanical stability or sterilizability are only some of the challenges that are met here in an interdisciplinary way.
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