Medical Design Briefs

Special Metals, Alloys Finding New Uses in Medical Device Manufacturing

 

Source: Medical Design Briefs

 

Diagnostic guide wires, minuscule screws for implants, complex surgical tools operated robotically—these are standard devices and equipment in the innovative and technology-rich medical arena, and sophisticated metals and alloys are regularly being used in their development, thanks to continuing advancements in medical technology.

“Titanium has been a consistent performer for a number of years, tantalum is emerging, and copper is re-emerging, while advancements in technology are creating a worldwide demand for a variety of other metals along with new versions of long-established standards. Niobium and nitinol are ideal for use in both internal and external medical applications.”

In this Best of the Web feature, author John Schmidt summarizes the metals industry’s “long history of innovation, development, and processing metals and alloys, in step with medical devices development,” including a quick guide on how these sophisticated materials are giving hope and life through their use in medical treatment.

 

Read more: “Special Metals Make Unparalleled Medical Devices Possible”

Photo caption/credit: A sampling of pacemaker-related components made of a titanium alloy / Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals

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Thermomechanical Process Aids in Development of Elastic Metal Rods to Treat Scoliosis

 

 

Source: Medical Design Briefs

Canadian and Russian medical science technology researchers have been collaborating on a project to develop an industrial technology for the production of metal rod stocks used for creating modern bone implants, particularly for implants to treat spinal problems such as scoliosis. They recently published the success of their work — which includes a form of heat treating.

Vadim Sheremetyev, one of the research authors and a senior research associate at NUST MISIS. (Photo supplied by NUST MISIS)

Scientists at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) MISIS (Moscow, Russia) along with colleagues from the Ecole de Technologie Superiore (Montreal, Canada), announced the development of a new combination of alloy processing that produces solid and durable implants that are fully compatible with the human body. The research article is published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds.

“The working material of this new generation of alloys is based on Ti-Zr-Nb (titanium-zirconium-niobium), which possesses so-called superelasticity, meaning it can restore its original shape against large and repeated deformation. Ti-Zr-Nb is also noted for its high mechanical strength and resistance to corrosion.”

“Our method of combined thermomechanical processing of alloys — in particular, radial-displacement rolling and rotary forging — allows researchers to get the highest quality blanks for biocompatible implants by controlling their structure and properties. Such processing of blanks gives them an outstanding resistance to fatigue and overall functional stability,” said Vadim Sheremetyev, one of the research authors and a senior research associate at NUST MISIS.

 

 

Read more: “Scientists Develop Elastic Metal Rods to Treat Scoliosis”

Also: “Scientists Develop Elastic Metal Rods to Treat Scoliosis” National University of Science and Technology MISIS

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