CERAMICS FOR HUMAN HEALTH CHALLENGES

摘要

The first Engineering Ceramics Summit organized by the American Ceramic Society in 2011 led to the conclusion that three of the top ten technologies needed to transform the world were in the field of healthcare. The objective of this paper is to provide an update of some critical needs to meet the challenges of affordable healthcare for an aging population. The role of third generation bioactive ceramics for patient specific tissue regeneration therapies to meet this challenge is discussed. The first step in understanding this challenge is to recognize the sequence of developments in the field of bioceramics. The goal of all biomaterials is to "Achieve a suitable combination of physical properties to match those of the replaced tissue with a minimal toxic response in the host". By 1980 there were more than 50 implanted prostheses in clinical use made from 40 different materials. At that time more than 3 million prosthetic parts were being implanted in patients worldwide each year. A common feature of most of the 40 materials used in implants during the first three decades of development from the '60s to '80s was biological "inertness". The principle underlying the bulk of biomaterials development was to reduce to a minimum the biological response to the foreign body. This engineering design principle is still valid, 40 years later, especially for older patients, >70 years of age with approximately 10-15 years of remaining lifespan. Tens of millions of individuals have had their quality of life enhanced for up to 25 years or more by use of implants using "bio-inert" biomaterials. The interface between tissues and bio-inert biomaterials is a thin, acellular fibrous capsule with minimal, if any, adhesion between the implant and its host tissue.