Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental MedicineFinger joint dysfunction due to an accident or medical condition requires surgical intervention. The common therapies very often result in stiffening of the joint, interfering with hand function and daily life activities. A new therapy for these patients applies custom-fit prostheses that preserve mobility of the joint while ensuring the necessary stability, achieving remobilization. The FingerKIt consortium, an interdisciplinary collaboration involving the research institution and institutes Fraunhofer MEVIS, IAPT, IKTS, IWM and ITEM, is developing individually adapted joint implants manufactured by 3D printing based on AI. Fraunhofer ITEM is responsible for the validation of the osseointegration and certification compliance. To ensure lifetime functionality for patients, the implant properties must be evaluated. For this purpose, a newly developed test bed forces implants out of bone models while measuring the applied force and acoustic emission, to enable detection of even tiny microcracks (hairline cracks).
