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Overview of Biomaterials
and Their Use in Medical Devices
A BIOMATERIAL, as dened in this handbook, is any synthetic material that is used to
replace or restore function to a body tissue and
is continuously or intermittently in contact with
body uids (Ref 1). This denition is somewhat
restrictive, because it excludes materials used
for devices such as surgical or dental instruments. Although these instruments are exposed
to body uids, they do not replace or augment
the function of human tissue. It should be noted,
however, that materials for surgical instruments, particularly stainless steels, are reviewed
briey in Chapter 3, Metallic Materials, in
this handbook. Similarly, stainless steels and
shape memory alloys used for dental/endodontic instruments are discussed in Chapter 10,
Biomaterials for Dental Applications.
Also excluded from the aforementioned denition are materials that are used for external
prostheses, such as articial limbs or devices
such as hearing aids. These materials are not
exposed to body uids.
Exposure to body uids usually implies that
the biomaterial is placed within the interior of
the body, and this places several strict restrictions on materials that can be used as a biomaterial (Ref 1). First and foremost, a biomaterial
must be biocompatibleit should not elicit an
adverse response from the body, and vice versa.
Additionally, it should be nontoxic and noncarcinogenic. These requirements eliminate many
engineering materials that are available. Next,
the biomaterial should possess adequate physical and mechanical properties to serve as augmentation or replacement of body tissues. For
practical use, a biomaterial should be amenable
to being formed or machined into different
a.
b.
c.
Fig. 1
stainless steels and tantalum). Chapter 7, Polymeric Materials, in this handbook discusses the
characteristics and properties of synthetic suture
materials.
Principal applications
Co-Cr-Mo, Cr-Ni-Cr-Mo
Ni-Ti
Gold alloys
Silver products
Platinum and Pt-Ir
Hg-Ag-Sn amalgam
Polymers
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
PET
Polyamides
PTFE
Polyesters
Polyurethanes
PVC
PMMA
Silicones
Hydrogels
Joint replacement
Sutures
Sutures, vascular prosthesis
Sutures
Soft-tissue augmentation,
vascular prostheses
Vascular prostheses, drugdelivery systems
Blood-contacting devices
Tubing
Dental restorations, intraocular
lenses, joint replacement
(bone cements)
Soft-tissue replacement,
ophthalmology
Ophthalmology, drug-delivery
systems
Composites
BIS-GMA-quartz/silica ller
PMMA-glass llers
Dental restorations
Dental restorations (dental
cements)
Abbreviations: CP-Ti, commercially pure titanium; PET, polyethylene terephthalates (Dacron, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.); PTFE, polytetra uoroethylenes (Teon, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.); PVC, polyvinyl chlorides;
PMMA, polymethyl methacrylate; BIS-GMA, bisphenol A-glycidyl. Source:
Adapted from Ref 3
Fig. 2
Schematic showing key components of a natural synovial joint. It consists of layers of bearing material
(articular cartilage) mounted on relatively hard bones forming
the skeletal frame. The synovial uid acts as a lubricant. In an
articial joint, lubrication is supplied by low-friction polymeric
bearing materials. Source: Ref 4
Polymer
As shown in Fig. 3, a typical hip prosthesis consists of the femoral stem, a femoral ball, and a
polymeric (ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, or UHMWPE) socket (cup) with or without a metallic backing. Femoral components
usually are manufactured from Co-Cr-Mo or
Co-Ni-Cr-Mo alloys or titanium alloys (see
Chapter 3, Metallic Materials, in this handbook for details). The ball (articulating portion
of the femoral component) is made either of
highly polished Co-Cr alloys or of a ceramic
(e.g., alumina). Modular designs, where the
stem and ball are of two different materials, are
common. For example, hip replacement implants featuring a titanium alloy femoral stem
will have a Co-Cr femoral head. Similarly, the
UHMWPE socket of the common acetabulum
replacement can be implanted directly in the
pelvis or be part of a modular arrangement
wherein the cup is placed into a metallic shell
Fig. 3
Knee Implants
In a total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the diseased cartilage surfaces of the lower femur
Fig. 4
Table 3
Femoral component
Socket component
Results
Co-Cr-Mo
Co-Cr-Mo
Co-Cr-Mo
Alumina/zirconia
Alumina
Ti-6Al-4V
Surface-coated Ti-6Al-4V
UHMWPE
UHMWPE
Alumina
UHMWPE
UHMWPE
Early high loosening rate and limited use; new developments show lowest wear rate
(THR onlyin clinical use in Europe)
Widely employed; low wear
Very low wear rate; zirconia more impact resistant
Minimum wear rate (components matched); painnot in clinical use in the United States
Reports of high UHMWPE wear due to breakdown of titanium surface
Enhanced wear resistance to abrasion; only thin treated layer achieved
Fig. 5
Wear behavior of various femoral head/cup combinations. Even higher ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear rates are encountered with titaniumbase femoral heads. Source: Ref 2
Fig. 6
Cardiac Pacemakers
Function. Cardiac pacemakers are generally used to manage a slow or irregular heart
rate. The pacemaker system applies precisely
timed electrical signals to induce heart muscle
contraction and cause the heart to beat in a manner very similar to a naturally occurring heart
rhythm. A pacemaker consists of a pulse generator, at least one electrode, and one or two pacing leads connecting the pacemaker to the heart.
Figure 7 shows various types of pulse generators and pacing leads.
Components and Materials of Construction. The casing of the pulse generator functions as housing for the battery and circuits,
which provide power. It is usually implanted
between the skin and pectoral muscle. The
sealed lithium iodine battery provides electrical
energy to the pacemaker. This battery replaced
the mercury-zinc battery in 1975, extending the
life of some pacemaker models by over 10 yr.
The circuitry converts the electrical energy to
small electrical signals. The circuitry also con-
trols the timing of the electrical signals delivered to the heart. A connector block, made of
polyurethane, is located at the top of the pacemaker (Fig. 7). It serves to attach the pacemaker
to the pacemaker lead. Formerly, glass materials were used to comprise the connector block.
The pulse generator is encased in ASTM grade
1 titanium. Titanium replaced ceramics and
epoxy resin, which were used for encapsulation
of some pacemakers in the past, with silicone
Fig. 7
rubber. This upgrade to titanium allowed patients to safely use appliances such as microwave ovens, because titanium helps to shield
the internal components and reduce the external
electromagnetic interference.
A pacing lead is vital to the pacemaker system, because it transmits the electrical signal
from the pacemaker to the heart and information
on the heart activity back to the pacemaker. One
or two leads may be used, depending on the type
Various pacemaker component designs. Top: Three examples of titanium-encased pulse generators. Connector blocks,
which serve to attach the pacemaker to the pacemaker lead, are shown at the top of each pulse generator. Bottom: Various
types of insulated endocardial and myocardial leads. Note that the lead shown at the center of the gure has a silicone sewing pad and
Dacram mesh disk for implant xation. Source: Ref 5
1. C.M. Agrawal, Reconstructing the Human Body Using Biomaterials, JOM, Jan
1998, p 3135
2. M. Long and H.J. Rack, Titanium Alloys
SELECTED REFERENCES
General
J.M. Courtney and T. Gilchrist, Silicone Rubber and Natural Rubber as Biomaterials,
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538540
R.H. Doremus, Bioceramics. J. Mater. Sci.,
Vol 27, 1992, p 285297
A.C. Fraker and A.W. Ruff, Metallic Surgical
Implants: State of the Art. J. Met., Vol 29
(No. 5), 1977, p 2228
R.A. Fuller and J.J. Rosen, Materials for
Medicine, Sci. Am., Vol 255 (No. 4), Oct
1986, p 119125
B.S. Gupta, Medical Testile Structures: An
Overview, Med. Plast. Biomater., Vol 5 (No.
1), 1998, p 16, 1921, 24, 26, 28, 30
G.H. Harth, Metal Implants for Orthopedic
and Dental Surgery, MCIC-74-18, Metals
and Ceramics Information Center Report.
Feb 1974
G. Heimke and P. Griss, Ceramic Implant
Materials, Med. Biol. Eng. Comput., Vol 18,
1980, p 503510
D.S. Hotter, Band-Aids for Broken Bones,
Mach. Des., 4 April 1996, p 3944
M. Hunt, Get Hip with Medical Metals,
Mater. Eng., Vol 108 (No. 4), 1991, p 2730
A.J. Klein, Biomaterials Give New Life, Adv.
Mater. Process., May 1986, p 1822
F.G. Larson, Hydroxyapatite Coatings for
Medical Implants. Med. Device Diag. Ind.,
Vol 16 (No. 4). 1994, p 3440
M. Long and H.J. Rack, Titanium Alloys in
Total Joint ReplacementA Materials Science Perspective, Biomaterials, Vol 19,
1998, p 16211639
D.C. Mears, Metals in Medicine and Surgery,
Int. Met. Rev., Vol 22, June 1977, p 119155
Dental Materials
Email Cust-Srv@asminternational.org
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