| Description:
New carbon materials have been developed at the University of
Mining and Metallurgy, based on original technology for the
production of carbon fibres and own experience in materials
preparation for medical use. Such materials are bio-functional and
biocompatible with soft and hard tissue (they are not carcinogenic,
mutagenic or allergenic). The satisfactory result of numerous
clinical tests confirmed that carbon materials could be useful in
different branches of medicine. Depending on the technology it is
possible to obtain a wide variety of carbon biomaterials in
different forms: braids, fabric, cloths, carbon composites
(carbon-carbon or carbon-polymer). The manufacturing technology
makes it possible for the Polish Research Group to fit the
properties of carbon materials for medical applications. Carbon
ligament and tendon prostheses stimulate the reconstruction of
natural tissues (ligaments or tendons). The main advantages of
carbon-carbon composites are the following: elasticity close to that
of bones, X-ray transmission, low specific weight. Good
biocompatibility of C-C (carbon-carbon) composites excludes an
additional operation after the union of the fractured bone. The
Research Group is looking for industrial partners interested in
cooperation and further development, and in research institutes and
companies for the testing of new applications.
Innovative
Aspects:
- New carbon composite technology
- New composite
biomaterials
- New methodology
- Elasticity close to that of
bones
- X-ray transmission
- Low specific weight
Good
biocompatibility of C-C composites excludes an additional operation
after the union of the fractured bone. Authors don't know of similar
applications of this kind of technology on the world market.
Main Advantages:
The main advantages of carbon-carbon
composites are the following: elasticity close to that of bones,
X-ray transmission, and low specific weight. Good biocompatibility
of C-C composites excludes an additional operation after the union
of the fractured bone.
Possible application of carbon
materials:
- Carbon braids are used for sutures, surgery and
orthopaedics, for tendons and ligaments prostheses e.g. repairing of
Achilles tendon, for reconstruction of anterior and posterior
cruciate ligaments of knee (ACL and PCL), for reconstruction of
medial collateral ligament (MCL), and orthopaedics.
- Carbon
fabrics are used in dressings and dermatology, or in the filling of
losses of joint cartilage, and in orthopaedics.
- Carbon-polymer
composites are used for rehabilitation equipment, external
stabilisers (for example Alizarin's Apparatus), and orthopaedics.
- Carbon-carbon composites are used for screw, nails, pins and
plates for uniting and treatment of fractured bones, and
orthopaedics.
- Carbon-carbon laminates are used for filling of
trachea losses, laryngological elements of keratoprosthesis, and
ophthalmology. |