| 摘要 |
Magnetic force fields are used to control the instability of joint-replacement situations. Prosthetic components according to the invention are fabricated with opposite-polarity magnets on either side of the joint surface, so that an inherent stability is conferred to the joint. The magnets are of sufficient strength so that dislocation or uncoupling of the components would be very difficult, but not impossible. The forces do, however, allow motion between the bearing surfaces, without increasing friction between the joint surfaces. The approach is applicable to various artificial joint situations, including the hip, shoulder, ankle, elbow, knee, and smaller joints. As opposed to pairs of magnets which attract one another, in certain applications the magnets may be arranged so as to repel one another such that the components actually touch little or not at all, but function as they do now. Such an approach would represent the ultimate application of this technology, namely, the frictionless bearing surface for joint replacement prostheses.
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