Plasticity effects during the 4-point bending of intramedullary leg lengthening implants with telescopic structures

• A telescopic intramedullary leg lengthening implant during standard (ASTM F1264) four-point bend testing is analysed in this study. The structure of a telescopic implant is simulated using different finite element models in order to understand the ultimate bending behaviour. The surface morphology on the internal contact surfaces is also analysed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results show that the simulation of correct non-linear behaviour necessitates plastic material models and representative contacts between nested parts. Based on the microscopy analysis, the damage on the contact surfaces inside the locking mechanism of a real tested implant is not found critical in terms of probable crack nucleation sites.

Nyckelord

biomechanics

finite element analysis

atomic force microscopy

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