Abstract

One major challenge to the usability of implants in total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is the limited of the postoperative knee joint loading data; therefore, the ability to continuously monitor these loads is an attractive concept. Integrating an energy harvester to scavenge the energy from human motion enables this monitoring. Recently, Triboelectric Generators have gained attention for energy harvesting because of their flexibility and easy fabrication processes. We investigate a triboelectric energy harvester for load sensing of TKR under simulated gait loading. The performance of triboelectric harvester prototypes was measured under simulated gait loading using a VIVO joint motion simulator. During cyclical loading, triboelectric harvesters undergo a contact and separation mechanism, which led to a voltage potential being generated. The power output is related to the amount of compressive load and the frequency. Therefore, the output power can be used to estimate joint loading and can act as a load-sensing implant component. Aiming to include biocompatible materials, we evaluated the performance of titanium as the triboelectric layer and showed the output is higher compared to Aluminum.

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