Abstract
Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics have been used clinically as an implant material for different applications for over 20 years. A review of technical basics of the composite materials (carbon fibers and matrix systems), fields of application, advantages (e.g., post-operative visualization without distortion in computed and magnetic resonance tomography), and disadvantages with use as an implant material is given. The question of the biocompatibility of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics is discussed on the basis of experimental and clinical studies. Selected implant systems made of carbon composite materials for treatments in orthopedic surgery such as joint replacement, tumor surgery, and spinal operations are presented and assessed. Present applications for carbon fiberreinforced plastics are seen in the field of spinal surgery, both as cages for interbody fusion and vertebral body replacement.
| Translated title of the contribution | Carbon fiber-reinforced plastics as implant materials |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 32-40 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Orthopade |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2003 |