Comparison of three joint simulator wear debris isolation techniques: Acid digestion, base digestion, and enzyme cleavage

Journal of Biomedical Materials ResearchVolume 56, Issue 2 p. 245-249 Comparison of three joint simulator wear debris isolation techniques: Acid digestion, base digestion, and enzyme cleavage S. Niedzwiecki, S. Niedzwiecki Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for more papers by this authorC. Klapperich, C. Klapperich Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for more papers by this authorJ. Short, J. Short Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for more papers by this authorS. Jani, S. Jani Smith and Nephew, Research and Technology Division, Memphis, Tennessee 38116Search for more papers by this authorM. Ries, M. Ries Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143Search for more papers by this authorL. Pruitt, Corresponding Author L. Pruitt [email protected] Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for more papers by this author S. Niedzwiecki, S. Niedzwiecki Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for more papers by this authorC. Klapperich, C. Klapperich Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for more papers by this authorJ. Short, J. Short Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for more papers by this authorS. Jani, S. Jani Smith and Nephew, Research and Technology Division, Memphis, Tennessee 38116Search for more papers by this authorM. Ries, M. Ries Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143Search for more papers by this authorL. Pruitt, Corresponding Author L. Pruitt [email protected] Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720Search for more papers by this author First published: 23 April 2001 https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4636(200108)56:2<245::AID-JBM1091>3.0.CO;2-TCitations: 49Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Quantification of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear debris remains a challenging task in orthopedic device analysis. Currently, the weight loss method is the only accepted practice for quantifying the amount of wear generated from a PE component. This technique utilizes loaded soak controls and weight differences to account for polymeric material lost through wear mechanisms. This method enables the determination of the amount of wear in the orthopedic device, but it provides no information about debris particulate size distribution. In order to shed light on wear mechanisms, information about the wear debris and its size distribution is necessary. To date, particulate isolation has been performed using the base digestion technique. The method uses a strong base, ultracentrifugation, and filtration to digest serum constituents and to isolate PE debris from sera. It should be noted that particulate isolation methods provide valuable information about particulate size distribution and may elucidate the mechanisms of wear associated with polymeric orthopedic implants; however, these techniques do not yet provide a direct measure of the amount of wear. The aim of this study is to present alternative approaches to wear particle isolation for analysis of polymer wear in total joint replacements without recourse to ultracentrifugation. Three polymer wear debris isolation techniques (the base method, an acid treatment, and an enzymatic digestion technique) are compared for effectiveness in simulator studies. A requirement of each technique is that the wear particulate must be completely devoid of serum proteins in order to effectively image and count these particles. In all methods the isolation is performed through filtration and chemical treatment. Subsequently, the isolated polymer particles are imaged using scanning electron microscopy and quantified with digital image analysis. The results from this study clearly show that isolation can be performed without the use of ultracentrifugation and that these methods provide a viable option for wear debris analysis. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 56: 245–249, 2001 References 1Stea S, Visentin M, Granchi D, Melchiorri C, Soldati S, Sudanese A, Toni A, Montanaro L, Pizzoferrato A. Wear debris and cytokine production in the interface membrane of loosened prostheses. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed 1999; 10: 247–257. 2Mohanty M. Cellular basis for failure of joint prosthesis. Bio-Med Mater Eng 1996; 6: 165–172. 3Green TR, Fisher J, Stone M, Wroblewski BM, Ingham E. Polyethylene particles of a "critical size" are necessary for the induction of cytokines by macrophages in vitro. Biomaterials 1998; 19: 2297–2302. 4Revell PA, Al-Saffar N, Kobayashi A. 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