Magnesium as a biodegradable and bioabsorbable material for medical implants
Abstract
For many years, stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, and titanium alloys have been the primary biomaterials used for load-bearing applications. However, as the need for structural materials in temporary implant applications has grown, materials that provide short-term structural support and can be reabsorbed into the body after healing are being sought. Since traditional metallic biomaterials are typically biocompatible but not biodegradable, the potential for magnesium-based alloys in biomedical applications has gained more interest. This paper summarizes the history and current status of magnesium as a bioabsorbable implant material. Also discussed is the development of a magnesium-zinc-calcium alloy that demonstrates promising degradation behavior.
- Publication:
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JOM - Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society
- Pub Date:
- September 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s11837-009-0129-0
- Bibcode:
- 2009JOM....61i..31B