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Magnesium as a biodegradable and bioabsorbable material for medical implants

  • Biomedical Materials and Devices
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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science and Engineering Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Harpreet S. Brar, Peter I. Martin & Michele V. Manuel

  2. Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Tech and Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Manu O. Platt

  3. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Malisa Sarntinoranont

Authors
  1. Harpreet S. Brar
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  2. Manu O. Platt
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  3. Malisa Sarntinoranont
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  4. Peter I. Martin
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  5. Michele V. Manuel
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Correspondence to Michele V. Manuel.

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Brar, H.S., Platt, M.O., Sarntinoranont, M. et al. Magnesium as a biodegradable and bioabsorbable material for medical implants. JOM 61, 31–34 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-009-0129-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-009-0129-0

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