PROSTHETIC AND BIOMEDICAL DEVICES

To be biocompatible is to interact with all tissues and organs of the body in a nontoxic manner, not destroying the cellular constituents of the body fluids with which the material interfaces. In some appHcations, interaction of an implant with the body is both desirable and necessary, as, for example, when a fibrous capsule forms and prevents implant movement (2). 

Polymers, metals, ceramics, and glasses may be utilized as biomaterials. Polymers (see Ppolymerprocessing), an important class of biomaterials, vary gready in stmcture and properties. The fundamental stmcture may be one of a carbon chain, eg, in polyethylene or Tedon, or one having ester, ether, sulfide, or amide bond linkages. PolysiHcones, having a —Si—O—Si— backbone, may contain no carbon. 

Plastics are found in implants and components for reconstmctive surgery, as components in medical instmments, equipment, packaging materials, and in a wide array of medical disposables. Plastics have assumed many of the roles once restricted to metals and ceramics. 

Bioglasses are surface-active ceramics that can induce a direct chemical bond between an implant and the surrounding tissue. One example is 45S5 bioglass, which consists of 45% Si02, 6% 4.5% CaO, and 24.5% Na20. The various calcium phosphates have exceUent compatibUity with bone and 

Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (4th Edition) 

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The isotope plutonium-238 [13981 -16-3] Pu, is of technical importance because of the high heat that accompanies its radioactive decay. This isotope has been and is being used as fuel in small terrestrial and space nuclear-powered sources (3,4). Tu-based radioisotope thermal generator systems dehvered 7 W/kg and cost 120,000/W in 1991 (3). For some time, %Pu was considered to be the most promising power source for the radioisotope-powered artificial heart and for cardiovascular pacemakers. Usage of plutonium was discontinued, however, after it was determined that adequate elimination of penetrating radiation was uncertain (5) (see PROSTHETIC AND BIOMEDICAL devices). 

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