Platinum in biomedical applications

Abstract

For a long time, platinum (Pt) is used in medicine because of its outstanding properties such as biocompatibility, electrical conductivity, radiopacity, and durability. Despite the high cost of the noble metal, its unique properties were exploited in a large number of medical devices. These include stents, catheters, pacemakers, defibrillators, cochlear implants, and many others. Pt compounds play an important role in cancer therapy. In the age of nanotechnology, the horizon of the potential applications of Pt was substantially expanded. Nanostructured Pt-based materials were proposed for producing electrodes with advanced characteristics embedded in implantable electronic devices and sensors for detection of biologically important molecules. Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) are perspective for the treatment of the diseases related to oxidative stress. It is expected that nanoparticle formulations will reduce adverse effects of Pt-based anticancer drugs. In this chapter, we review the traditional and new fields of Pt application in medicine. Special attention is paid to the questions of in vivo biocompatibility and corrosion behavior of Pt implants. In conclusion, we summarize the benefits of Pt usage for future medicine and diagnostics and indicate the problems to be solved to give the green light for the Pt-based new products to get entry in medical market.