Liquid Crystals in Biotribology: Synovial Joint Treatment: 2016 (Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering)

This book summarizes the theoretical and experimental studies confirming the concept of the liquid-crystalline nature of boundary lubrication in synovial joints. It is shown that cholesteric liquid crystals in the synovial liquid play a significant role in the mechanism of intra-articular friction reduction. The results of structural, rheological and tribological research of the creation of artificial synovial liquids containing cholesteric liquid crystals in natural synovial liquids are described. These liquid crystals reproduce the lubrication properties of natural synovia and provide a high chondroprotective efficiency. They were tested in osteoarthritis models and in clinical practice. Introduction.- Biomechanics of Joint Synovia.- Brief Review of Liquid Crystals.- Modern Concepts of Friction and Lubrication of Solids.- Modern Concepts of Friction, Wear and Lubrication of Joints.- Effect of Liquid Crystals on Biological Mechanisms of Reducing Joint Friction.- Liquid Crystals as Effective Preparations for Treatment of Joint and Similar Pathologies.- Conclusions.