1.1This practice covers the production of wear particles and degradation products from implanted materials that may lead to a cascade of biological responses resulting in damage to adjacent and remote tissues. In order to ascertain the role of particles in stimulating such responses, the nature of the responses, and the consequences of the responses, established protocols are needed. This is an emerging, rapidly developing area and the information gained from standard protocols is necessary to interpret responses. Some of the procedures listed here may, on further testing, not prove to be predictive of clinical responses to particulate debris. However, only the use of standard protocols will establish which are useful techniques. Since there are many possible and established ways of determining responses, a single standard protocol is not stated. However, this recommended practice indicates which necessary information should be supplied with test results. For laboratories without established protocols, recommendations are given and indicated with an asterisk (*).
1.2This standard is not designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the systemic toxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, or mutagenicity of the material.
1.3This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.