Wim Richter
Encyclopedia
Dr. Paul Wilhelm Richter (May 23, 1946-) is a South Africa
n chemist and principal researcher involved in bioceramic
research activities. He is most widely known for his development of the bioceramic
hydroxyapatite orbital implant.
Dr Richter completed his BSc degree studies in Chemistry at the University of Pretoria
in 1967, followed by a MSc in Chemistry in 1969. His PhD was obtained through the University of South Africa
in 1971.
Richter worked as a research scientist at the CSIR in Pretoria, South Africa since 1970. His areas of involvement include solid-state chemistry (structure - property - processing - performance relationship), x-ray diffraction, high pressure phase studies, thermal analysis, magnetic materials, crystal growth, ferroelectricity, injection moulding, rapid prototyping and ceramic processing.
The key innovation for the implant is the ease with which it integrates with the eye socket tissue, giving the artificial eye natural movement. This product was launched and introduced to the eye specialist community during the annual international conference of the Ophthalmological Society of Southern Africa at Sun City in February 2004 and is presently being sold commercially in SA and abroad and has been recognized by international awards.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n chemist and principal researcher involved in bioceramic
Bioceramic
Bioceramics and bioglasses 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...
research activities. He is most widely known for his development of the bioceramic
Bioceramic
Bioceramics and bioglasses 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...
hydroxyapatite orbital implant.
Dr Richter completed his BSc degree studies in Chemistry at the University of Pretoria
University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria is a multi campus public research university located in Pretoria, the administrative and de facto capital of South Africa...
in 1967, followed by a MSc in Chemistry in 1969. His PhD was obtained through the University of South Africa
University of South Africa
The University of South Africa is a distance education university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. With approximately 300 000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.-History:...
in 1971.
Richter worked as a research scientist at the CSIR in Pretoria, South Africa since 1970. His areas of involvement include solid-state chemistry (structure - property - processing - performance relationship), x-ray diffraction, high pressure phase studies, thermal analysis, magnetic materials, crystal growth, ferroelectricity, injection moulding, rapid prototyping and ceramic processing.
Major works
Dr Richter's career in research and development in the field of ceramics, and more recently on Bioceramics for medical applications, culminated in the successful development and commercialism of the Eyeborn orbital implant. Eyeborn is a hydroxyapatite orbital implant used to replace the eyeball of a patient who has lost an eye. A prosthetic eye cap is fitted on the front of the Eyeborn implant, restoring the patient's appearance and improving his quality of life.The key innovation for the implant is the ease with which it integrates with the eye socket tissue, giving the artificial eye natural movement. This product was launched and introduced to the eye specialist community during the annual international conference of the Ophthalmological Society of Southern Africa at Sun City in February 2004 and is presently being sold commercially in SA and abroad and has been recognized by international awards.
Notable Publications
- Aug-1999, Macroporous hydroxyapatite bioceramics by solid freeform fabrication: towards custom implants"http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/handle/10204/2060 Richter, PW; Thomas, ME; Van Deventer, T
- Aug-1999, Novel combination of reverse engineering and vapid prototyping in medicine http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/handle/10204/816 Schenker, R; De Beer, DJ; Du Preez, WB; Thomas, ME; Richter, PW
- Aug-1999, Macroporous synthetic hydroxyapatite bioceramics for bone substitute applications http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/handle/10204/1893 Thomas, ME; Richter, PW; Van Deventer, T; Crooks, J; Ripamonti, U
- Jul-2006, Eyeborn – restored quality of life for the visually impaired http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/handle/10204/1078 Du Preez, WB; Richter, PW; Hope, D; Kotze, CP
- Nov-2006, Product development lessons from the Eyeborn experience http://researchspace.csir.co.za/dspace/handle/10204/1079 Du Preez, WB; Richter, PW; Hope, D