Ceramics Used In Medical Applications

High tech ceramics have always been associated to medical devices.

Ceramics used in medical applications.

Biomaterials may be defined as those engineered materials used specifically for medical applications. Ceramics for the human body are called bioceramics. Here we describe their current clinical use and propose a picture of their evolutions for the next 20 years. Surgical cermets are used regularly.

Ceramic based components are indispensable in products such as smartphones computers televisions automotive electronics and medical devices. The need for tough strong and stable bioinert ceramics 2 1 1. The nearly 4 5 trillion global electronics industry would not exist without ceramics. Orthopedic procedures that involve the surgical installment of these implants are aimed at replacing hip knee joint cranio maxillofacial and spinal hard tissues and are becoming very.

Discover the world s research. Ceramics used for this type of applications are called functional ceramics. The history of biomaterials can be represented by the use of metallic implants. 3 turbocharger rotors fig.

The aim of this perspective is to present an overview of the different types of ceramics available for medical applications focused mainly on bioactive glasses. 4 and tappet heads for use in automotive engines. Biomaterials share with all other engineering materials the classification into the traditional categories of metals ceramics polymers and composites. Ceramic materials are used in a wide range of applications from power distribution to smartphones.

Other examples of medical uses for bioceramics are in pacemakers kidney dialysis machines and respirators. In electronic and electrical industries advanced ceramic materials like barium titanate batio3 piezoelectric materials and semiconductor materials are heavily used for producing ceramic capacitors vibratos temperature sensors oscillators etc. Ceramics are now commonly used in the medical fields as dental and bone implants. Ceramic materials have been produced for custom practices for centuries but they are a rather modern development in medical processes and applications used in surgical implants prosthetics and various medical tools and devices medical ceramics change lives.

Other examples of where advanced ceramics are used include oil free bearings in food processing equipment. Clinical use of alternative zirconia based ceramics and composites. Joint replacements are commonly coated with bioceramic materials to reduce wear and inflammatory response. Yttria stabilised zirconia was the ceramic gold standard in terms of strength and toughness see table 1 but its lack of long term stability is a major issue for medical use.

Manufacturers fabricate numerous ceramic medical appliances from the oxides alumina and zirconia.