Carbon in Biomedical Engineering

Carbon materials are ideal for biomedical purposes, as they are mechanically and biologically compatible in the human body. Pyrolytic carbon is used extensively for orthopedic and cardiovascular applications, due to its high strength and excellent wear resistance and fatigue behavior. The material has experienced a high level of success in small joint replacement and mechanical heart valves. Additionally, carbon fibers can be combined with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) to form a composite that has properties similar to that of bone. Future uses for carbon in biomedical engineering will continue to be studied.