Determination of the translational and rotational stiffnesses of an L4-L5 functional spinal unit using a specimen-specific finite element model.

The knowledge of spinal kinematics is of paramount importance for many aspects of clinical application (i.e. diagnosis, treatment and surgical intervention) and for the development of new spinal implants.

Retrospective lifetime estimation of failed and explanted diamond-like carbon coated hip joint balls.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are known to have extremely low wear in many technical applications. The application of DLC as a coating has aimed at lowering wear and to preventing wear particle-induced osteolysis in artificial hip joints. In a medical study femoral heads coated with diamond-like amorphous carbon, a subgroup of DLC, articulating against polyethylene cups were implanted between 1993 and 1995.