For over twenty years, ADMET has been designing state of the art testing systems for a range of industries. From plastics and adhesives to ceramic and metals, ADMET has established itself as a standard bearer in the world of material and device testing.

Bone screws are designed to be inserted into bone or bone-like material to stabilize the area. The screws are subjected to different loads as the body moves and as the bones heal. This standard specification is used to determine how much force is required to cause a failure, either a break or removal, from the bone material. This method is used to compare uniformity of different screws.

Nitinol is a metal alloy composed of titanium and nickel. nitinol is characterized by its biocompatibility, elasticity, fatigue strength, and ability to return to its original shape after deformation (shape memory). Although nitinol is used in industries ranging from robotics to clothing, it is in the medical field where the material really shines. Medical applications of nitinol include: vascular stents, eyeglasses, orthodontics, prosthetics, surgical applications, and much more.

ASTM F564 details three types of tests commonly conducted during the product development process of metallic staples to be used in medical applications related to bone. This post is intended to help you understand the basic procedures and the equipment needed to complete the fatigue, pull-out strength, fixation strength, and bending tests explained in the specification. For complete instructions, please refer to ASTM F564.

The term Medical textile can be used to describe a wide range of products, including: gauze, bandages, medical clothing, and implantable biomaterials. This post refers specifically to the mechanical property testing of implantable mesh and sutures used in surgical applications.  

This test method aims to test the mechanical properties of an angled fixation device not the material component. Angled Fixation Devices are used to treat fractures.

ASTM F1541 encompasses many different testing requirements for characterizing external skeletal fixation devices (ESFD's) This specification is used for many fixation devices and applications, Joint prostheses, Modular prostheses, Osteosynthesis, Ring elements, Staples, Subassembly (frame), Synthetic bone, and other implant characteristics. Listed below;a summary of each Annex and recommendations for the type of Testing System needed to perform the test procedure. 

ASTM F2193 encompasses varied test annexes to determine the strength, stiffness, and durability of spinal screws.

ASTM F1820- Determines the Axial Disassembly Force of a Modular Acetabular Device. Examples are Hip and Shoulder Prothetic Implants. These implants need to be tested in various ways. One way is to analyze the acetabular Liners attachment strength or axial locking strength is when attached to an acetabular Shells.  This determines if the liner is matched properly with the designated shell. This test requires an ADMET single or dual column testing system depending on the size of the shell.

Tapers are used in modular devices, like shoulder and hip prothesis. This method assesses the axial locking forces of these tapers. Full description of ASTM F2009 can be found at www.astm.org. The ADMET eXpert 2600 will perform the Constant Rate Assembly and Disassembly Procedure and provide the appropriate fixtures needed to secure the tapers during testing.