Kosmetische Medizin (6): 215 – 220

Trends and developments in the area of material sciences and manufacturing technologies for medical supportive structures

REIMUND NEUGEBAUER1, CHRISTIAN ROTSCH1

1 Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkzeugmaschinen und Umformtechnik (IWU), Chemnitz (Germany)

KEY WORDS: Scaffold, implants, laser beam smelting, textile structures, biocompatible polymeres, metal foam

SUMMARY:
Supportive structures are used in various areas of invasive medicine and medical engineering. The spectrum of the deployed materials reaches from organic to anorganic materials to organic-anorganic composite materials for hybrid  implants. Depending on the application, the implant structure can replace removed tissue or it can support the regeneration of defect tissue areals. Through the implimentation of different manufacturing technologies and  materials, the supportive structures can be adapted to the individual patient or be adapted to the specific defect. The main goals in the development of such structures are usually the modulation of the mechanical characteristics to the natural ideal as well as a biocompatible surface, which allows the ingrowth of cells and tissue. Besides the mechanical characteristics, the adaptation of implant geometrie to the natural body- e.g. tissue contour, is an important aspect, especially in plastic surgery. Reconstruction of head- e.g. scull areals for example after tumor resection should be highlighted here. This article gives an overview on upto-date manufacturing technologies and used materials by means of selected examples.