Important applications of titanium and titanium alloys in the medical field

As a new alloy and a carrier material, medical titanium alloy is widely used in limb implants, alternative functional materials, dentistry, medical instruments and other related fields. Titanium and titanium alloys have the characteristics of good corrosion resistance, high specific strength, low elastic modulus, fatigue resistance, good biocompatibility and so on. Due to its good biocompatibility, it has a unique advantage compared with other metals, so it is widely favored in the medical field. However, due to its poor wear resistance and technological properties, further improvement work is also being carried out.

01, for the direction of medical devices

 Medical titanium alloy medical instruments are the third generation of surgical instruments after carbon steel and stainless steel. In order to improve the anti - rust properties of stainless steel equipment, it is often processed by chrome plating, electric polishing and other surface treatments. But chromium is toxic, and the shed layer can have some effects on the human body.

The advantages of medical titanium alloy as a medical device are:

 1, lightweight instruments, during the operation can reduce the damage to blood vessels, muscles, organs, reduce the doctor's fatigue, medical titanium instruments are more suitable for fine microsurgery;

 2, good corrosion resistance and non-toxic, equipment does not rust, the wound is not easy to infection, wound healing fast;

 3, the elasticity of medical titanium alloy is moderate, suitable for making pliers, tweezers, microscalpel and other instruments;

 4, when operating under shadowless lamp, the reflective performance of medical titanium is weak, more suitable than stainless steel;

 Titanium medical instruments mainly include: scalpel, forceps, surgical forceps, chest expander, suture needle, suture line and so on.

02, widely used in artificial joint materials

 Compared with ceramic, stainless steel and other materials, the elastic modulus of titanium alloy is closer to the human skeleton, and it has more advantages in the modulus size. Therefore, titanium alloy is widely used in ankle and elbow joint correction. In addition, the porous titanium alloy material can make the prosthesis biologically active and contribute to the healing of the femoral head. Titanium alloy surface has good biocompatibility and can induce bone cell growth, so it is highly recommended by clinicians and orthopedic experts.

 The advantages of titanium and titanium alloy as implants are as follows:

① High strength, good chemical stability and biocompatibility;

(2) Non-toxic, will not cause harm to the human body;

③ The elastic modulus is low, which is more matching with the human skeleton;

(4) Elastic capacity and shape recovery function of memory alloy;

03. Titanium is of great help to the development of dentistry

Titanium alloy porcelain tooth can very well restore the shape and function of the tooth, and high strength, beautiful appearance, stable color, smooth surface, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, is a kind of permanent restoration, suitable for all fixed teeth, especially its good biocompatibility, nickel sensitive people more suitable, has been widely used in tooth restoration.