Single and reciprocal friction testing of micropatterned surfaces for orthopedic device design.

The use of micropatterning to create uniform surface morphologies has been cited as yielding improvements in the coefficient of friction during high velocity sliding contact. Studies have not been preformed to determine if these micropatterns could also be useful in biomedical applications, such as total joint replacement surfaces, where the lower sliding velocities are used. In addition, other factors such as lubricant viscosities and materials used are more tightly constrained.