Sensor calibration curves obtained with three different platen configurations. Comparison of the flat-platen curves, rigid versus 90A polyurethane (PU), indicated that the PU lining attenuated sensor output by approximately a factor of 4, to simulate in situ cartilage response. The flat- and conical-platen results, when both platens were lined with PU, were virtually identical, which indicated that sensor behavior was unaffected by substrate curvature.