Joint replacement technology
Joint replacement technology research is conducted within the Dartmouth Biomedical Engineering Center for Orthopaedics (DBEC). Founded at Thayer School in 1976, DBEC is the largest joint implant retrieval program of its type in the country and, with over 9000 specimens, has the biggest collection of retrieved joint implants in the world. Since the inception of this program—in affiliation with Dartmouth-Hitchcock—Thayer School researchers have systematically identified and solved most problems related to joint replacement production, design, and materials.
Remaining issues and current foci of the program include:
- determination of the rate of oxidation in vivo of polyethylene subjected to new sterilization techniques
- performance of new crosslinked polyethylene materials
- wear of new metal-on-metal and ceramic-on-ceramic technologies