BIOLOX Forte

Owing to an extraordinary amount of research performed, today there exist a large variety of clinical options to combine femoral heads and acetabular cups. In Europe these medical products are being marketed under the brand names BIOLOX and BIOLOX forte by CeramTec AG (Plochingen, Germany) (Clarke and Willmann, 1994 Willmann, 2002) and BIONIT by Mathys European Orthopaedics (Bettlach, Switzerland). In 2000, the market volume of ceramic femoral heads amounted to about 30 Mio DM corresponding to 90 000 pieces, 90% of which were made from alumina (see Chapter 2). 

Property Alumina Alumina ISO 6474 Alumina ISO 6474/2 Biolox Biolox forte Biolox delta Bionit ... 

The 2001 recall has not, however, dampened the general enthusiasm for ceramic materials in orthopedics. Alumina is currently the ceramic material of choice for orthopedic applications, either for articulations with UHMWPE or for use in COC alternate bearings. Starting at the end of 2002, a new alumina composite material (BIOLOX Forte CeramTec, Plochingen, Germany) has been available as a femoral head material (Merkert 2003). This ceramic composite, consisting of 75% alumina matrix, is reinforced by 25% zirconia. The improved strength of this new ceramic composite, in comparison with alumina and zirconia, is summarized in Table 6.2. Clinical studies are still needed to determine the effectiveness and reliability of this new biomaterial. 

Green DD, WilUams PA, Donaldson TK. C. Cl. BIOLOX-Forte vs. BIOLOX Delta under microseparation test mode in the USA. Trans of the 5Ist Orthop Res Soc 2(X)5 30 239. 

Property Alumina BIOLOX(g) forte Y-TZP ZIOLOX forte Bone >... 

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