Hard tissue applications of biocomposites

Tanner, K.E. (2017) Hard tissue applications of biocomposites. In: Ambrosio, L. (ed.) Biomedical Composites (Second Edition). Woodhead Publishing: Cambridge, pp. 37-58. ISBN 9780081007525 (doi: 10.1016/B978-0-08-100752-5.00003-2)

Abstract

Composites were first used clinically in the 1970s, these were based on carbon reinforced epoxy resin and although they progressed to successful clinical applications, none remained in use much beyond their initial clinical trials. The major problems were either the inability to shape the implant to fit the patient, or the method of manufacture being expensive and complex, finally these materials were “first generation” biomedical composites being bioinert. In the 1980s the second generation, that is bioactive composites, were developed and brought into clinical trial. As surgeons have been able to shape these implants to fit their patients the application of these materials has been more successful and being bioactive have lead to stronger bonds between the implant and the supporting bone, thus the implants has progressed to clinical use after their initial clinical trials. However, most of these could only be used in low load bearing applications. Since the early 2000s and the first edition of this book, the number of composite implants in clinical application and the loads to which they are exposed have both increased substantially. Improvements have come from applying engineering composites technologies to increase the mechanical properties and the use of bioactive components and the release of bioactive molecules to increase the bioactivity of the materials and devices.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Keywords: Bioactive material, bone, composite, clinical application, implant.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tanner, Professor Kathleen
• Authors: Tanner, K.E.
• Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General)
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Publisher: Woodhead Publishing
• ISBN: 9780081007525