Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 5.6
In this artificial hip joint, the polymer-bearing surface and some of the metallic components have
been replaced by ceramics to improve the durability of the joint replacement. This design features a ceramic femo-
ral head and an acetabular cup.
Photograph of the LINEAGE
W
ceramic-ceramic acetabular cup system is courtesy of Wright
Medical Technology, Inc.
bone cells are able to form an intimate attachment to the biomaterial surface after this bone
mineral-like layer has formed. The same results are attained by implanting a material that
already has a bone-like calcium phosphate surface, such as the granules shown in Figure 5.7.
Further studies have shown that the bone-like calcium phosphate actually provides a direct
cue to the cells because of the way the cell attaches to the calcium phosphate.
Several different atomic structures (or phases) of calcium phosphate have been used in
medical applications, including hydroxyapatite, carbonated apatite, di-calcium phosphate
