SUMMARY

The menisci protect the knee by distributing the compressive loads experienced across the joint. Meniscus lesions are among the most common orthopedic injuries, but all current treatments are only applicable to a limited number of tears or have poor clinical outcomes. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a meniscus replacement. The work of this thesis developed an artificial meniscus implant with a similar shape, strength, compliance, and contact mechanics as the natural meniscus. In order to design the implant, functional requirements and design specifications were established from mechanical properties of the natural menisci and loading experienced in the knee joint. FEA was performed to observe trends between fiber spacing on implant deformation and stresses. The best implant design was chosen based on axial compression and delamination durability as well as contact stress functionality tests. Once the best design was chosen, it underwent further durability and functionality testing. Tests focused on the strength and compliance of the overall implant and durability of the implant over prolonged use. The tests showed that the implant can provide the mechanical properties and functionality needed to serve as a meniscus replacement.