Technical ceramics, also known as advanced ceramics, have become a common term in the medical industry today. However, the use of ceramics in the manufacturing process of medical devices is not a new trend. Ceramics have been popularly employed in the production of various medical instruments since the 1970s.
At present, advanced ceramics are widely used in the medical industry in the fields of bone and dental implants. Bioceramics are used in the repair or replacement of damaged bone tissues. In addition to these, they are also used in prosthetics, surgical implants, and other medical tools.
Desired Properties of Implantables
Medical Implants are devices which have to meet the needs of the working environment of a certain part of the human body. As they are replacements for natural parts of the body, implantables must possess biomechanical properties comparable to those of the tissues. They are used to replace, support or enhance existing biological structures, and hence, must not have any adverse effects on the human body.
A few of the desired properties of implantables are listed below:
- Corrosion-resistant
- Heat-resistant
- Biocompatibility
- Bio-adhesion
- Bio-functionality
- Processability
What makes Ceramic such a good fit?
The working environment inside the human body can be sensitive, and at the same time, quite demanding. Hence, medical implants must possess high fatigue strength, stability as well as biocompatibility.
Advanced ceramics satisfy all of these conditions. They are not affected by heat, are mechanically strong, and are highly biocompatible. The benefits of ceramics which make them such a good fit as medical implants are discussed below.
Corrosion Resistant
As implants have to survive inside the human body for many years, they must be able to survive extreme conditions. Our body has corrosive salty body fluids. The ceramics are corrosion resistant and can withstand extreme conditions longer than other materials such as metals.
Electrical Insulator
Properties of implants like biocompatibility and electrical insulation are an aspect of concern in biomedical applications. Ceramics are dielectric materials and are excellent electrical insulators. Miniature circuits can be efficiently patterned on these implants with ease.
Excellent Strength
Ceramics, in addition to excellent compressive strength, also possess high fatigue strength. This enables them to withstand the aggressive conditions inside the human body. It equips them with the ability to resist wear and allows them to last long.
Less Expensive
Implants that use ceramics have a repetitive production process which enables the ceramic company to produce a large number of parts. This makes the manufacture of these implants rather inexpensive as compared to their alternatives. Also, the raw materials required for the manufacturing process are abundant and cheap.
Customization Properties
With new advancements in this technology, components are being created that provide great sophistication, performance, and accuracy. Manufacturers believe they will soon be able to supply customized parts for medical devices instead of a standard size for all parts.
Advanced ceramics possess the essential properties required for biomedical applications such as non-toxicity, stability, strength, and non-carcinogenicity. The manufacturing of these products is also economically viable, elevating their popularity even more.