Stapes prostheses are used in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) therapy as a
replacement for the stirrup, the prosthesis forming a direct connection between hammer and inner ear. The ball-joint allows optimum matching during the operation. To ensure functional integrity, the joint force must only move in a specified area. The prosthesis is only 5 mm in length and has a diameter of 0.5 mm. Using the zwicki-Line Z0.5 table-top testing machine, this force can be determined without damage occurring to the specimen.