Heidelberg

Materials selection, processing, and manufacturing for a design of an elbow joint replacement prototype

“…The Coonrad-Morrey total elbow (see Figure 14) manufactured by Zimmer was used for 102 elbow arthroplasties in 86 patients over 13 years at a single institution [1]. According to a brochure available on the company website, the implant has an ulnar stem and a humeral stem each made of Tivanium® Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which are connected via a pin with an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene bushing [24]. Portions of the stems are plasma spray coated to provide a rough surface to improve bone cement adherence.…”

“…The surgical procedure for the human elbow implant is very similar to the canine procedure, but has several key differences. According to the surgical technique guide provided on Zimmer's website, the radius is mostly untouched during the procedure and a bone graft is wedged under the humeral flange; no bone graft is used to merge the proximal ends of the radius and ulna [24]. Because the implant is semiconstrained (i.e.…”