Abstract

Prosthetics or biomedical devices are objects which serve as body replacement parts or as tools for implantation of such parts. Such devices are prepared from a variety of materials including metals, plastics, other polymers, and ceramics. Devices for cardiovascular and orthopedic problems are discussed herein as are bioresorbable polymers used for sutures.

Biomedical applications of smart materials can be divided into three categories: (1) implants and stents, such as bone plates and marrow needles; (2) surgical and dental instruments, devices, and fixtures, such as orthodontic fixtures and biopsy forceps; and (3) devices and instruments for medical checkups, such as ultrasonic devices. The applications of the first category require strict biocompatibility of a material because it is implanted in the body for long periods. Among many traditional materials, including metals, alloys, and ceramics, that are available commercially, only a limited number are currently used as prostheses or biomaterials in medicine and dentistry. The applications in the second category require excellent mechanical characteristics as well as biocompatibility. The third category is used mainly for transducers.

Among smart materials, the Ti–Ni shape-memory alloy (SMA) has attracted the most attention for biomedical applications in the first and second categories due to its excellent biocompatibility and mechanical characteristics. Research on biomedical applications of the SMA started in the 1970s with animal experiments initially, followed by clinical tests. The first example of a successful biomedical application of the SMA was a bone plate, which was used to repair broken bones. Now, many medical and dental applications of SMAs are available, and many new applications are being developed. On the other hand, piezoelectric materials have been widely used as transducers for medical ultrasonic devices due to their sensor function that uses piezoelectricity and the actuator function that uses inverse piezoelectricity.