Implant material cartilage replacement

Other biomedical applications of polymers include sustained and controlled drug delivery formulations for implantation, transdermal and trans-cornealuses, intrauterine devices, etc. (6, 7). Major developments have been reported recently on the use of biomaterials for skin replacement (8), reconstruction of vocal cords (9), ophthalmic applications such as therapeutic contact lenses, artificial corneas, intraocular lenses, and vitreous implants (10), craniofacial, maxillofacial, and related replacements in reconstructive surgery (I), and neurostimulating and other electrical-stimulating electrodes (I). Orthopedic applications include artificial tendons (II), prostheses, long bone repair, and articular cartilage replacement (I). Finally, dental materials and implants (12,13) are also often considered as biomaterials. 

Biocompatibility and Mechanical Properties. Currently, their are no suitable artificial materials for the prosthetic replacement of articular cartilage. The biocompatibility is considered the primary criterion in the selection of such a material. In a recent study, Furst and co-workers(10) compared the biocompatibility of the polyurethane to the well known medical grade silicone polymer. The tissue reactions to small polymer discs, inserted in an articulating space—the suprapatellar bursa of rabbits, was examined. The foreign body reaction of the tissue at the implantation site was evaluated at intervals of 7 days,... 

Surface-modified polyolefin materials are widely used in biomedical field. Low-temperature plasma-treated PE was well suited for biomedical application. UHMWPE after surface modification with low-temperature plasma is the principal material used to replace damaged cartilage in total joint arthroplasty or the surgical reconstmction of a diseased joint [73]. The UHMWPE having desirable mechanical properties and biocompatibility is used in orthopaedic implants and joint socket in bone replacement. 

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