Engineering Portfolio: Chris Berthelet

Total Shoulder Replacement Research

          While at UC Berkeley, I worked in the Medical Polymer Group as a volunteer researcher. The goal of the research team is to improve the designs and materials used in total joint replacements. These devices include the total hip, total knee, and total shoulder replacement (TSR).

          My work was focused on the TSR, and included both computational analysis in MATLAB as well as finite element analysis (FEA) in ABAQUS.  The main components of a TSR include the humeral component, humeral head, and glenoid (see gallery). The glenoid is commonly made of a polymer such as Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethelyne, and is the most likely component to experience failure.  

          To calculate glenoid contact stresses, a computational method defined by D. L. Bartel was translated into MATLAB. I used this method to examine the effects of radial mismatch, glenoid thickness, material composition, implant size, and humeral head translation on contact stresses. The results of this study were presented at the 2015 SB3C Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport Conference. The abstract and presentation are attached at the bottom of this page.

          I also worked to create a model of the TSR in ABAQUS. After a general working model was created, I used it to analyze parameters such as Von Mises stress, plastic strain, contact area, etc. for a variety of loading scenarios. Some side work included manufacturing and testing jigs for Compact Tension Specimen pre-cracking.

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