In most people’s minds, ceramics are first and foremost an art form. Yet these objects go beyond decorative vases and sculptures — they’re a booming industry. Ceramic is an essential material that is set to scale exponentially over the next year, particularly when it comes to being utilized in the medical field.
Made of clay and other natural materials, ceramics possess many properties that have made them stand out to innovators in scientific and medical industries. Two of its most important assets are its wear resistance and biocompatibility, which we’ll delve into.
Ceramic is already heralded as a fantastic material for several other reasons in various industries. The composition is immune to corrosion and erosion that other materials would crumble under. It’s a great insulator, too. Its resistance to heat prevents deterioration and its ability to diffuse high temperatures and hold a low thermal conductivity is incredibly useful as well.
Though ceramics are used in rotors, valves, bearings, and nozzles in many other industrial applications, here’s how they’re specifically being developed for medical use.
How Ceramics Are Implemented in the Medical Industry
The same qualities that make ceramics so great for other applications also mean they’re suitable for medical settings. Ceramic is load-bearing, resistant to wear, resistant to heat, and a top-quality insulation material. It’s also chemically inert, which means it has a low chemical reactivity — a key feature for objects being used in a human body.
Though ceramics can be useful for many purposes, when categorized medically, there are two general types: bioinert and bioactive ceramics. Bioinert means that it’s biocompatible, and when the body registers the presence of ceramic, it won’t heighten its defenses and attack the foreign material. Bioactive, on the other hand, triggers a response in the body and often leads to healing and acceptance of the new implant or structure that’s been inserted.
There are several processes in which ceramics are made and created to fit these medical needs. One such way is injection molding, which is a thorough improvement over older techniques in terms of efficiency and cost. These ceramic products are made through molding machines.
Injection molding is a manufacturing process for creating parts with intricate designs. Previously used standard stamping and machining techniques used to take more time and cost more. However, with injection molding, numerous devices can be produced in a shorter time frame.
Some examples of ways in which structural ceramics come into play in the medical field can be found below:
Bone implants: Common bone implant pieces, such as balls and sockets used for hip implants or spine replacements, can be crafted out of ceramic. Its wear resistance and chemical inertness make it particularly useful for this.
Spacers: Another type of implant, spacers are integrated into the body when bones have been destroyed, disintegrated, or damaged. Ceramic is a helpful material in these instances, too. In the past, they’ve been successfully involved in facial, jaw, and throat implants. Surgeons and professionals have also used them in cranioplasties to repair skull damage.
Dental implants: Ceramics are an effective and eligible material for dental implants. Its bioactive property means that healing will most likely take place after it is inserted, which is imperative for this kind of dental work.
Electronic implants: Ceramics and electronics are an unlikely pair that work surprisingly well together. Cochlear implants, pacemakers, and electrosurgical units are just a small sampling of the implants that ceramic can be part of or protect.
Cornea replacement: Blindness and certain diseases may lead to the replacement of a cornea, which involves donor tissues and artificially made parts. One type of fracture-resistant ceramic (alumina) has been worked into this process.
Controlled drug delivery: Ceramic is a useful material for properly administering drugs, hormones, and vaccines. More porous alumina is often used for this, as it can carefully provide the dose needed over a period of time rather than all at once, though it takes extensive engineering and unique scientific practices to get it right.
3D printed parts: Some types of ceramic can also be used to create organs, bones, and implants through a 3D printer. This is one sector that scientists and researchers are beginning to think more deeply about.
All materials will have their disadvantages though, and ceramic is no exception. Like any ceramic item, brittleness and fragility are valid concerns. The cost of ceramic is also higher than comparable materials, which can deter companies from investing.
Ceramic Industry Growth
With a long list of great features, it’s clear why the popularity and demand for ceramics is continually increasing. In fact, the global medical ceramic market is expected to become a $29.4 billion industry by 2030. As newer solutions are being discovered for the old material, it’s safe to say that the demand for ceramic won’t be dipping any time soon.
General medical and dental advancements where ceramic can be utilized will lead to more growth. Where even more potential lies is in more futuristic practices, such as 3D printing. Though it has its faults, the disadvantages of ceramic often pale in comparison to the advantages when it comes to specific needs in these fields.
Adding to its long list of certifications, Xometry received the ISO 13485:2016 Certificate which demonstrates that its Quality Management System is an appropriate and effective system for the safety and efficacy of the manufacturing of medical devices.
