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If conductive bones are problematic, why do Titanium pins etc. not cause problems?
by jstanley 9y ago
If conductive bones are problematic, why do Titanium pins etc. not cause problems?
- Amorymeltzer 9y agoFor one, the pins are small and hopefully don't touch nerves. More to the point, Titanium: — Is nontoxic. — Is biocompatible, and can semi-integrate into bones, a process called osseointegration[1], which makes for much better implants. — Isn't ferromagnetic, so you can use MRI to examine and maintain implants safely. — Is less conductive than many other metals. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osseointegration https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osseointegration
- epmaybe 9y agoAs an aside, there was a professor of mine in college that had a startup to apply an electric current through some rods and pins to stimulate osteoblast formation and therefore better osseointegration.