Biomaterials and Materials Solutions
Latest Biomaterials and Materials Solutions Feature
Scientists are developing highly innovative uses for both old and new materials in medical devices. Catherine Park investigates.
Hard as Diamonds
Microcrystalline and nanocrystalline diamond coatings may be used to modify the surfaces of medical devices.
Microcrystalline and nanocrystalline diamond coatings may be used to modify the surfaces of medical devices.
Nitinol: The Flexible Friend
Although nitinol offers many advantages for medical device manufacturers, its properties remain relatively unknown.
Although nitinol offers many advantages for medical device manufacturers, its properties remain relatively unknown.
Tissue Engineering: the Next Regeneration
Nottingham University's Kevin Shakesheff describes to Nic Paton the research and funding going into regenerative...
Nottingham University's Kevin Shakesheff describes to Nic Paton the research and funding going into regenerative...
Polyolefins: Ahead of the Pack
Polyolefins are used for medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging more than any other thermoplastic material.
Polyolefins are used for medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging more than any other thermoplastic material.
Perfect Mix: Are Combination Products the Way Forward?
A new technology could enhance the effectiveness of many treatments by enabling targeted, timed release of drugs.
A new technology could enhance the effectiveness of many treatments by enabling targeted, timed release of drugs.
A Break for Bones
Since the 1990s tissue engineering has been heralded as a strategy to solve problems associated with bone grafting.
Since the 1990s tissue engineering has been heralded as a strategy to solve problems associated with bone grafting.
If the Cap Fits
Customised implants are set to positively affect the future of treatments for osteoarthritis.
Customised implants are set to positively affect the future of treatments for osteoarthritis.
Break the Mould
A deteriorating global business climate means that more manufacturers are hoping to tap into the medical device market.
A deteriorating global business climate means that more manufacturers are hoping to tap into the medical device market.
Ireland's Device Industry – A Lucky Charm?
In a city that has been dogged by redundancies in recent months, one Irish medical device manufacturer is positive.
In a city that has been dogged by redundancies in recent months, one Irish medical device manufacturer is positive.
Sight for Sore Eyes
Infections associated with contact lens wear have the potential to cause vision loss in more than a tenth of cases.
Infections associated with contact lens wear have the potential to cause vision loss in more than a tenth of cases.
The Science of Friction
Ease-of-use, wear and patient comfort are just some of the concerns about devices designed to be used in the body.
Ease-of-use, wear and patient comfort are just some of the concerns about devices designed to be used in the body.
Sticky Situations
Hydrophilic coatings offer enhanced device performance but can encounter issues such as detachment or dissolving.
Hydrophilic coatings offer enhanced device performance but can encounter issues such as detachment or dissolving.
Body in Mind
Biology is often the last thing on a manufacturer's mind.
Biology is often the last thing on a manufacturer's mind.
Synthetic Solutions
Biomechanics and associated materials for use in the human body have seen major developments since the 1970s.
Biomechanics and associated materials for use in the human body have seen major developments since the 1970s.
Hip New Trends
The latest alternative to total hip replacement has a warning label from researchers on both sides of the Atlantic.
The latest alternative to total hip replacement has a warning label from researchers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Small Really Can be Beautiful
Nanotechnology is thought to offer revolutionary change in many disciplines, but in the medical sector it could be the...
Nanotechnology is thought to offer revolutionary change in many disciplines, but in the medical sector it could be the...
Long-Term Prospects
Mechanical issues, corrosion and biological rejection continue to prevent true longevity of orthopaedic implants.
Mechanical issues, corrosion and biological rejection continue to prevent true longevity of orthopaedic implants.
It's in the Blood
Bruce Gingles of Cook Medical discusses the key elements to best-practice infection prevention.
Bruce Gingles of Cook Medical discusses the key elements to best-practice infection prevention.
Half-Hearted Treatment
Chronic heart failure can often be fatal, with transplants in fierce demand and other treatment options unavailable.
Chronic heart failure can often be fatal, with transplants in fierce demand and other treatment options unavailable.
The Real Spider-Man
A revolutionary discovery has found a material that may be up to three times stronger than traditional bone substitutes.
A revolutionary discovery has found a material that may be up to three times stronger than traditional bone substitutes.
A Tubular Success
Stent materials have evolved dramatically over recent years, now offering almost limitless possibilities.
Stent materials have evolved dramatically over recent years, now offering almost limitless possibilities.
Laser is the Tool
From household electronics to security holograms, lasers play a significant and positive role in everyday life.
From household electronics to security holograms, lasers play a significant and positive role in everyday life.
Age-Defying Implants
As living standards in the developed world continue to improve, so too does life expectancy.
As living standards in the developed world continue to improve, so too does life expectancy.
The Truly Conformal Coating
The multi-property, biocompatible polymer Parylene has proved itself as having an unsurpassed role in medical coatings.
The multi-property, biocompatible polymer Parylene has proved itself as having an unsurpassed role in medical coatings.
All in the Mind
A man/machine fusion may seem like pure fantasy, but an astonishing new breakthrough could lead to its reality.
A man/machine fusion may seem like pure fantasy, but an astonishing new breakthrough could lead to its reality.
A Strong Bond
Joining different components and materials together to create one final product can be incredibly tricky.
Joining different components and materials together to create one final product can be incredibly tricky.
Blood-Borne Concerns
For over a decade healthcare providers have been looking at ways to improve the safety of blood transfusions.
For over a decade healthcare providers have been looking at ways to improve the safety of blood transfusions.
Metal With Memory: the Future of Nitinol
The use of the flexible metal Nitinol in medical devices has benefited both manufacturers and patients.
The use of the flexible metal Nitinol in medical devices has benefited both manufacturers and patients.
A Biomaterial Renaissance
Polyether ether ketone has recently been shown to be hugely successful in a variety of situations.
Polyether ether ketone has recently been shown to be hugely successful in a variety of situations.
Device Manufacture Gets Up to Speed
The demand for complex and sophisticated medical devices is escalating.
The demand for complex and sophisticated medical devices is escalating.
Safe Surface
Nearly half of infections in the US are related to medical implants, making anti-microbial coatings extremely...
Nearly half of infections in the US are related to medical implants, making anti-microbial coatings extremely...
Tissue-Engineered Treatment
The long-term treatment of anal fistulas is often unsuccessful, with patients left suffering from chronic conditions.
The long-term treatment of anal fistulas is often unsuccessful, with patients left suffering from chronic conditions.
Filters at the Forefront of Infection Control
Manufacturers are emphasising the effectiveness of air filters in combating contamination and controlling infection.
Manufacturers are emphasising the effectiveness of air filters in combating contamination and controlling infection.
New Approach to an Old Problem
Compared to implants used for repairing orthopaedic sites, nano-assembled implants benefit from new bone growth.
Compared to implants used for repairing orthopaedic sites, nano-assembled implants benefit from new bone growth.
Hard Grafts
Ruth Sharples reports on some new product developments on the European market for bone grafts.
Ruth Sharples reports on some new product developments on the European market for bone grafts.
Sexual Discrimination: Focus on Female Healthcare
Sex-specific medical research is a relatively new phenomenon and data is lacking on many aspects of women's health.
Sex-specific medical research is a relatively new phenomenon and data is lacking on many aspects of women's health.
Fighting Cataracts Globally
Globally, blindness due to cataracts affects over 15 million people.
Globally, blindness due to cataracts affects over 15 million people.
Giant Strides Towards Smaller Technologies
Self-assembly is increasingly attractive as a means of creating nanostructures.
Self-assembly is increasingly attractive as a means of creating nanostructures.
Implants: The Biodegradable Future
Dr Joachim Kohn of Rutgers University in the USA tells Jim Banks about a new device for hernia treatment.
Dr Joachim Kohn of Rutgers University in the USA tells Jim Banks about a new device for hernia treatment.
Nitinol: The Shape of Things to Come
The shape memory metal nitinol is finding its way into an increasing number of medical devices.
The shape memory metal nitinol is finding its way into an increasing number of medical devices.
Joined at the Tip
The increasing use of advanced alloys such as Nitinol has led to the need for new techniques of material manipulation.
The increasing use of advanced alloys such as Nitinol has led to the need for new techniques of material manipulation.
Material Concerns
There is a growing buzz around the use of biomaterials and tissue engineering.
There is a growing buzz around the use of biomaterials and tissue engineering.
Tissue Engineering: the Nuts and Bolts
Biopolymers are now being widely used as scaffolding in the production of a range of tissue-engineered medical products.
Biopolymers are now being widely used as scaffolding in the production of a range of tissue-engineered medical products.
Partnerships for Progress in Medical Devices
Collaboration between experts across a range of disciplines is the key to the development of new device functionality.
Collaboration between experts across a range of disciplines is the key to the development of new device functionality.
