Tribological evaluation of a novel hybrid for repair of articular cartilage defects

The friction and wear properties of silica/poly(tetrahydrofuran)/poly(?-caprolactone) (SiO2/PTHF/PCL-diCOOH) hybrid materials that are proposed as cartilage tissue engineering were investigated against living articular cartilage. A testing rig was designed to allow fresh bovine force compared for five compositions the biomaterial articulating freshly harvested in diluted calf serum. Under a non-migrating contact, increased hence shear applied opposing also increased, resulting minor damage surface. This worse case scenario used discriminate between material formulations revealed increase damaged area lowest containing most silica. Further tests on one formulation with an elastic modulus closest then conducted custom incubator system. demonstrated over day period force, cell viability glucosaminoglycan (GAG) release into lubricant similar cartilage-cartilage interface hybrid-cartilage interface, supporting use these repair. These results demonstrate how tribology can play part development new chondral engineering. Designing maintain low whilst growth is critical if further be avoided during repair defects. work examines tribological performance SiO2/PTHF/PCL-diCOOH demonstrates protocol could any regeneration. Tribological changing composition decreased reduced counterface. study integrated design process produce higher chance clinical success.