Tribology is the science of friction, wear and lubrication. Experiments connected with this science accompany a man from the dawn of history, but only during the rapid development of industry in 19th century, both the scientific research and work have deepened and developed the knowledge and understanding of tribology. On the grounds of it a new field of study, biotribology, emerged. Although it has also been present since the beginning, biology and nature kept its secrets. Then, only the development of modern scientific methods, testing equipment, metrology and diagnostics enabled the researchers to discover these secrets and explain the tribological processes which occur within living organisms.
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List of abbreviations 7
Preface 9
1. Introduction to the issues related to tribology of human joints 11
2. Methods of imaging the shapes of the joint structures 14
2.1. Computer Tomography and the tomography of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the identification and three-dimensional visualisation of joint structures 17
2.2. Determination of the shape of joint surfaces using coordinate measuring technique 303. Surface and solid modelling of the articular structures 46
3.1. Modelling of the knee joint 47
3.2. Modelling of the talocrural joint 52
3.3. Modelling of the temporomandibular joint 57
3.4. Accuracy estimation of the shape representation of biomaterials using measurement and imaging techniques 614. Analysis of the surface layer of the articular cartilage using the modern microscope methods 65
4.1. Scanning tests of the cartilaginous tissue 67
4.2. Tests using the atomic force microscopy 765. Rheological tests of the synovial fluid 84
5.1. Rotational tests 90
5.2. Oscillatory tests 916. Estimation of the conditions of transfer of loadings performed by modelled joint structures
using finite element method 98
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7. Numerical simulations of displacements and stresses in selected human joints 119
7.1. Knee joint 119
7.2. Talocrural joint 131
7.3. Temporomandibular joint 1428. Selection and exploitation of artificial joints in the aspect of biotribology 150
9. Analysis of the tribological phenomena in the natural bearings 162
Literature 175
