Is Cobalt Used In Medical Devices?

Cobalt (Co) alloys have been used for over seven decades in a wide range of medical devices, including, but not limited to, hip and knee implants, surgical tools, and vascular stents, due to their favorable biocompatibility, durability, and mechanical properties.

What material is used in medical devices?

Numerous types of materials, including metals, polymers and ceramics, are commonly used in medical devices, and these materials can be in contact with parts of the body for extended periods of time.

Is cobalt used in stainless steel?

Historical data suggests that stainless steel alloys, such as the 300 and 400 families, contain between 0.05-0.40 wt% cobalt in a traditional melt, exceeding proposed EU MDR limits.

What devices contain cobalt?

Today it is a metal found in many products ranging from aircraft engines to lithium-ion batteries, including those in electric vehicles. Currently, the largest use of cobalt is in portable consumer electronics like cell phones, laptop computers, and tablets, which are all powered by lithium-ion batteries.

Is cobalt a CMR?

Cobalt is on the list of CMR substances, so must be declared on the label of the medical device to meet the new regulation.

Is acrylic used in medical devices?

The leading applications of acrylic in the medical industry today are for cuvettes and tubing connectors, but it is also used to produce test kits, syringes, luers, blood filters, and drainage wands as well as flowmeters, blood-pump housings, fluid silos, surgical-blade dispensers, incubators, and surgical trays.

Is polypropylene used in medical devices?

Polypropylene is a cost-effective medical-grade plastic material and is used where steam-sterilized medical devices are necessary. In addition to resistance to steam sterilization, mechanical performance properties of polypropylene include durability for the number of cycles it can be reused.

Is cobalt rust resistant?

Cobalt can be employed within alloys because it remains stable at high temperatures and therefore has uses within the aerospace industry, for example. It also offers corrosion resistance and a hardness that withstands wear.

Can cobalt be used for weapons?

Weapons-grade tungsten alloys (tungsten, 91–93%; nickel, 3–5%; and cobalt, 2–4%) are used in armour-penetrating munitions. Military personnel and civilians can be exposed to metal aerosols generated during firing or impact, or after injury with retained embedded munitions fragments.

Is cobalt used in gasoline production?

For example, petrol or diesel for cars can only be sold after it has been refined with catalysts containing cobalt compounds which reduce sulphur and nitrous oxide emissions.

Is cobalt used in?

Cobalt is commonly used in electroplating because of its appearance, hardness, and resistance to oxidation. Cobalt compounds have been used for centuries to create a rich blue color in glass, glazes, ceramics, porcelain, pottery, tiles, and enamels.

Is cobalt used in iPhones?

Cobalt is a critical ingredient in lithium-ion batteries that power Apple’s iPhones, iPads, Apple Watch, and MacBooks.

Is cobalt in lithium?

Cobalt is an important ingredient in lithium-ion battery cathode production, accounting for about a quarter of the cost of the battery.

Why is cobalt used in medical implants?

Cobalt-chrome (Co-Cr) is a metal alloy of cobalt and chromium. Because of its high strength, temperature endurance and wear resistance, it is commonly used in dental and orthopedic implants.

Who bought out cobalt?

Cobalt Boats is an American manufacturer of recreational motorboats. It was founded in 1968 and operated independently until its acquisition by Malibu Boats in 2017.

Is cobalt standard radioactive?

* Cobalt is a radioactive isotope and is regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Is acrylic biocompatible?

Acrylic (PMMA) biocompatibility PMMA is very biocompatible with human tissue. Because it is BPA free, it is also a useful BPA-free alternative to polycarbonate frequently used for making component parts for medical, biological and biopharmaceutical applications.

Is HDPE used in medical devices?

High-density polyethylene
HDPE is the plastic you probably imagine in medical applications: white and rigid with a waxy luster. That’s because its toughness and nonporous surface make it an ideal candidate to make the protective shells of medical devices.

Is acrylic FDA approved?

Is plexiglass acrylic safe for food handling ? – Yes. Plexiglass acrylic is commonly used for food handling and display purposes. Plexiglass is FDA compliant.

Is ABS used in medical devices?

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS is typically used in 3D-print manufacturing for medical devices. Equipped with heat-resistant properties, this thermoplastic polymer is an excellent metal substitute for structural parts. ABS can be injection or blow-molded, extruded, melted, or reshaped.

Can all polypropylene be autoclaved?

Polypropylene is a durable inexpensive plastic resin which is commonly used to contain material during autoclaving. Polypropylene plastic pans with 6-12 inch sides are favored over polyethylene and polystyrene because polypropylene can withstand autoclaving without melting.