Plasma processing of materials for medical applications

The thin and defect-free calcium phosphate coating layer deposited to a thickness of 1 μm by electron beam evaporation was characterized in vivo. Calcium phosphate film deposited implants made of commercially pure Ti were inserted in rabbit tibiae. The bone forming ability was compared with the as-machined and as-blasted implants. Eighteen white rabbits were ovariectomized 2 months before insertion for osteoporic condition. The calcium phosphate coated implants had the most bone-to-metal contact and required the highest removal torque force in ovariectomized rabbit. The removal torque force was increased to slightly more than 50% by calcium phosphate coating for the same surface finished condition. The sacral nerve, S3, stimulation of a 38-year-old male patient with C4 and C5 tetraplegia by iridium coated electrode increased the reservoir volume and decreased the bladder pressure at the same time.