Bioceramic
Encyclopedia
Bioceramics and bioglass
es are ceramic
materials that are biocompatible. Bioceramics are an important subset of biomaterials. Bioceramics range in biocompatibility from the ceramic oxides, which are inert in the body, to the other extreme of resorbable materials, which are eventually replaced by the materials which they were used to repair. Bioceramics are used in many types of medical procedures. A primary medical procedures where they are used is implants
. This article is primarily concerned with rigid materials commonly used as surgical implants
, though some bioceramics are flexible. The ceramic materials used are not the same as porcelain
type ceramic materials. Rather bioceramics are closely related to either the body’s own materials, or are extremely durable metal oxides
.
.
In 1969 L. L. Hench and others discovered that various kinds of glasses and ceramics could bond to living bone Hench was inspired with the idea on his way to a conference on materials. He was seated next to a colonel who had just returned from the Vietnam War. The colonel shared that after an injury the bodies of soldiers would oftentimes reject the implant. Hench was intrigued and began to investigate materials that would be biocompatible. The final product was a new material which he called Bioglass
. This work inspired a new field called bioceramics. With the discovery of bioglass interest in bioceramics grew rapidly.
On April 26, 1988 the first international symposium on bioceramics was held in Kyoto Japan
Ceramics are now commonly used in the medical fields as dental, and bone implants. Artificial teeth, and bones are relatively commonplace. Surgical cermets are used regularly. Joint replacements are commonly coated with bioceramic materials to reduce wear and inflammatory response. Other examples of medical uses for bioceramics are in pacemakers, kidney dialysis machines, and respirators. The global demand on medical ceramics / ceramic components was about US$9.8 billion in 2010. It is forecast to have an annual growth of 6-7% in the following years, and the world market value will increase to US$15.3 billion by 2015 and reach US$18.5 billion by 2018.
. Two methods of treatment have been proposed; treatment through hyperthermia
, and radiotherapy. Hyperthermia treatment involves implanting a bioceramic material that contains a ferrite or other magnetic material. The area is then exposed to alternating magnetic field, which causes the implant and surrounding area to heat up. Alternatively the bioceramic materials can be doped with β-emitting materials and implanted into the cancerous area..
Other trends include engineering the materials for specific tasks. Ongoing research involves the chemistry, composition, and micro and nanostructures of the materials to improve their biocompatibility.
Bioglass
Bioglass is a commercially available family of bioactive glasses, composed of SiO2, Na2O, CaO and P2O5 in specific proportions. The proportions differ from the traditional soda-lime glasses in low amount of silica , high amount of sodium and calcium, and high calcium/phosphorus ratio.High ratio of...
es are ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
materials that are biocompatible. Bioceramics are an important subset of biomaterials. Bioceramics range in biocompatibility from the ceramic oxides, which are inert in the body, to the other extreme of resorbable materials, which are eventually replaced by the materials which they were used to repair. Bioceramics are used in many types of medical procedures. A primary medical procedures where they are used is implants
Implant (medicine)
An implant is a medical device manufactured to replace a missing biological structure, support a damaged biological structure, or enhance an existing biological structure. Medical implants are man-made devices, in contrast to a transplant, which is a transplanted biomedical tissue...
. This article is primarily concerned with rigid materials commonly used as surgical implants
Implant (medicine)
An implant is a medical device manufactured to replace a missing biological structure, support a damaged biological structure, or enhance an existing biological structure. Medical implants are man-made devices, in contrast to a transplant, which is a transplanted biomedical tissue...
, though some bioceramics are flexible. The ceramic materials used are not the same as porcelain
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
type ceramic materials. Rather bioceramics are closely related to either the body’s own materials, or are extremely durable metal oxides
Mixed metal oxide
Mixed metal oxide electrodes are devices with useful properties for chemical electrolysis. The term refers to electrodes in which the surface contains two kinds of metal oxides. One kind, usually RuO2, IrO2, or PtO0.12, conducts electricity and catalyzes the desired reaction such as production of...
.
History
Prior to 1925 the materials used in implant surgery were primarily relatively pure metals, however these are not considered to be ceramics and are therefore outside the scope of this article. The success of these materials was surprising considering the relatively primitive surgical techniques. The 1930's marked the beginning of the era of better surgical techniques and also the first use of alloys such as VitalliumVitallium
Vitallium is a trademark for an alloy of 60% cobalt, 20% chromium, 5% molybdenum, and other substances. The alloy is used in dentistry and artificial joints, because of its light weight and resistance to corrosion. It is also used for components of turbochargers because of its thermal resistance....
.
In 1969 L. L. Hench and others discovered that various kinds of glasses and ceramics could bond to living bone Hench was inspired with the idea on his way to a conference on materials. He was seated next to a colonel who had just returned from the Vietnam War. The colonel shared that after an injury the bodies of soldiers would oftentimes reject the implant. Hench was intrigued and began to investigate materials that would be biocompatible. The final product was a new material which he called Bioglass
Bioglass
Bioglass is a commercially available family of bioactive glasses, composed of SiO2, Na2O, CaO and P2O5 in specific proportions. The proportions differ from the traditional soda-lime glasses in low amount of silica , high amount of sodium and calcium, and high calcium/phosphorus ratio.High ratio of...
. This work inspired a new field called bioceramics. With the discovery of bioglass interest in bioceramics grew rapidly.
On April 26, 1988 the first international symposium on bioceramics was held in Kyoto Japan
Applications
Future trends
One proposed use for bioceramics is the treatment of cancerCancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. Two methods of treatment have been proposed; treatment through hyperthermia
Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia is an elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation. Hyperthermia occurs when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate...
, and radiotherapy. Hyperthermia treatment involves implanting a bioceramic material that contains a ferrite or other magnetic material. The area is then exposed to alternating magnetic field, which causes the implant and surrounding area to heat up. Alternatively the bioceramic materials can be doped with β-emitting materials and implanted into the cancerous area..
Other trends include engineering the materials for specific tasks. Ongoing research involves the chemistry, composition, and micro and nanostructures of the materials to improve their biocompatibility.
Bioceramic materials
Bioceramic materials are commonly subdivided by their bioactivity. Bioinert materials are non-toxic, non-inflammation causing. These materials must be long lasting, structural failure resistant, and corrosion resistant. Bioceramics additionally must have a low Young’s modulus to help prevent cracking of the material.See also
- Journal of the American Ceramic SocietyJournal of the American Ceramic Societythe Journal of the American Ceramic Society is a monthly peer reviewed, scientific journal published on behalf of the American Ceramic Society by Wiley-Blackwell. It was established in 1918 and is co-edited by David J. Green, John Halloran, David W. Johnson Jr, and Lisa Klein...
- Acta MaterialiaActa Materialia- Scripta Materialia :Scripta Materialia is a peer reviewed, scientific "Letters" journal of Acta Materialia. As such, it is formatted for rapid publishing of short communications, which are original research articles in contrast to incremental research. In this regard the focus is on novel...
- Acta BiomaterialiaActa BiomaterialiaThe Acta Biomaterialia is a monthly, peer reviewed, scientific journal published by Elsevier. It is published on behalf of Acta Materialia, Inc., and issponsored by ASM International and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society ....
- Nature Chemical BiologyNature Chemical BiologyNature Chemical Biology is a monthly, peer-reviewed, scientific journal, which is published by Nature Publishing Group. It was first published in June of 2005 . Terry L. Sheppard is a full-time professional editor with the title, "Chief Editor", and employed by Nature Chemical Biology...
- Nature BiotechnologyNature BiotechnologyNature Biotechnology is an academic journal covering the science and business of biotechnology.Nature Biotechnology is a continuation of Bio/Technology , which was founded in 1983 and renamed in 1996. It is published monthly by the Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan Publishers Ltd...
External links
- CSA Discovery Guide http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/archives/bceramics.php
- CME BULLETIN Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery 2001; 5(3): 87-90 http://www.rila.co.uk/issues/full/download/89c59097be748d10a96dcb617a4a3261218724.pdf
- BioCeramic Therapeutics (BCT) Ltd http://www.bioceramictherapeutics.com
- Novel Bioceramic Materials for Bone Repair/Replacement from CERAM http://www.ceram.com/industries/healthcare/innovation-for-healthcare/developing-novel-bioceramics/