Carbon Fiber Used in Medical Field
Carbon fiber (CF) is a new type of fiber material with high strength and high modulus that consists carbon content of over 90%. The microstructure of carbon fibers is similar to artificial graphite, which is a disordered graphite structure and exhibits high strength along the fiber axis. With the improvement of carbon fiber production technology and the deepening of application research, people have found many advantages of carbon fiber and composite materials.
The superior performance of carbon fiber has led to its increasingly widespread application.
In addition to the superior mechanical properties mentioned above, carbon fiber also has some other special properties, such as good X-ray transmittance, good biocompatibility, superior high and low temperature resistance, good corrosion resistance, as well as certain conductivity and thermal conductivity. It is precisely because of the above characteristics that carbon fiber and its composite materials have a significant impact in the field of medical devices.
1、X-ray flat panel imaging device
The application of X-ray flat panel detector in X-ray detection equipment is a multifunctional high-resolution X-ray flat panel imaging device that uses advanced technologies such as amorphous silicon thin film transistors, photodiode arrays, and high sensitivity cesium iodide direct growth scintillators to achieve exceptionally stable imaging performance. It can be applied to medical and industrial non-destructive testing. Carbon fiber is a type of material that can conduct micro currents, absorb less radiation, and has high transmittance. It can reduce the voltage and radiation energy of the radiation, resulting in clear imaging. Due to the decrease in voltage, it saves energy and reduces harmful side effects on patients. Therefore, carbon fiber composite sheets have replaced traditional aluminum sheets in X-ray detection equipment on a large scale.
2、 Superconducting magnet component
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a common imaging examination method. Magnetic resonance imaging is a new imaging examination technique. The nuclear magnetic resonance instrument mainly consists of magnetic wedges, radio frequency transmitters, detectors, amplifiers, and recorders. Magnets are used to generate magnetic fields, mainly including permanent magnets, electromagnets, superconducting magnet, etc. In order to obtain higher magnetic field, superconducting magnet must be used. Superconductivity can only be achieved at extremely low temperatures, currently in liquid helium (helium-268.785C.), and the surrounding mechanical components require the use of special materials. Even at extreme low temperatures, carbon fiber still maintains good low-temperature performance. Therefore, well-known nuclear magnetic resonance manufacturers currently use carbon fiber composite materials to prepare mechanical components in the low-temperature area of nuclear magnetic resonance.
3、 Medical bed board
In addition to good mechanical properties, carbon fiber materials have good corrosion resistance. Even if there are alcohol, drugs, and blood stains, the panel will not be affected, and the cleaning is more convenient. In the long run, the panel will not be corroded. The weight is very light, and it is easy to move. It is convenient for medical personnel to better adjust the appropriate angle. The mechanical properties, i.e. chemical stability and human-body biocompatibility, of carbon fiber are valuable in medical devices. The progress in the medical field has led to the widespread application of X-ray machines and computer tomography scanners in diagnosis and treatment. Most of the current medical beds are made of wood and plastic that are heavy and have poor transparency.
The bed board made of carbon fiber composite material allows radiation to shine on the bed board at any tilt angle without significant deviation in refraction and projection of radiation. It also uses fewer materials to achieve the designed structural strength, stiffness, weight reduction, and high tensile strength.
4、 Application in prosthetics
The application of carbon fiber composite materials in prosthetics, such as:
1. Acceptor cavity effect
To bear the weight of the human body, control the prosthetic limb, and suspend the prosthetic limb, it makes the residual limb comfortable and free in the cavity, and the carbon fiber frame also meets the requirements of supporting weight and transmitting force
2. Carbon fiber knee joint
The specific strength of carbon fiber knee joints is currently the best among the materials used, therefore, the outer frames of more than 20 popular knee joints in the world are made of carbon fiber composite materials. Due to the introduction of carbon fiber composite materials in the knee joint, a lot of weight has been reduced, enabling the artificial knee joint to achieve multiple efficiencies
3. Carbon fiber ankle joint
The movements of the ankle joint and prosthetic foot have a significant impact on the stability of the knee joint support. (Carbon fiber composite material is used in the flexible foot to make the ankle joint, which can bounce. Carbon fiber is used to fix artificial ankle joints such as soft heel ankles and carbon fiber universal ankles.)
4. Connecting pipe
The connecting tube between the ankle and lower leg prostheses can also be made of carbon fiber composite material, thereby making the ankle joint
Lightweight and aesthetically pleasing.
5. Carbon fiber artificial feet
The main function of the artificial foot is to support the body mass, generate thrust in the movement, and at the same time compensate the role of the triceps and flexor muscles.
