Biomaterials for Biomedical Devices and Implants

Abstract

India is currently importing different types of medical implants and devices, which cost about 0.65 million USD. Most of the imported implants and devices are found to be expensive and not suitable for Indian patients because of their design limitations. Thus, it is very much essential to develop indigenous devices at an affordable cost without compromising their functional activities. The chapter will discuss the design and development of patient-specific biomedical devices and implants as per ISO/ASTM standards in order to meet their individual requirements. In the specified area, the products being developed by our research team have been kept under two different categories namely implants and biomedical devices. Under the implant category, the products such as (i) ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene-based acetabular cup, (ii) 3D printed shape memory polyurethane-based aneurysm coil, and (iii) different types of cerium-based anti-scavenging materials to absorb the excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) to preserve the residual hearing after cochlear implant fixation are being developed and tested. In case of biomedical devices, prosthetic and orthotic devices such as (i) polymer-based polycentric knee joint, (ii) dynamic foot, (iii) custom-made ankle-foot orthosis, (iv) suction and suspension incorporated socket for lower limb amputees, and (v) direct socket fabrication system are being developed and trialled. A discussion on the different materials including polymers, ceramic, and composites which are used to improve the performance of the above-discussed biomedical devices and implants will be deliberated in details.