Polymers for Heart Valves
03/15/00 An Australian company has developed a silicon-polyurethane plastic called Elast-Eon for use in artificial heart valves.

Tubes for Nerve Regeneration
03/07/00 Small plastic, biodegradable tubes allow regrowing nerves to bridge gaps, extending the range over whuch the nerves can regenerate.

Work-Related Lung Ailments
02/14/00 Commonly used items like latex gloves can cause asthma and other lung ailments.

Composites for Feet and Rifles
02/09/00 Applied Composite Technology, located in Fayette, Utah, makes composite feet for amputees and lightweight rifle barrels.

Glass-Coated Joints
01/27/00 Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab are developing a biologically active glass coating for artificial joints that will allow implants to bond to bone.

Fibers Eliminate Scars
01/07/99 A new mat of biodegradable fibers can help skin grow normally over wounds, perhaps eliminating scar tissue.

NTP Asserts DEHP Risk
12/21/99 The National Toxicology Program (NTP) asserts phthalate plasticizers (DEHP, used in vinyl) is a health hazard and should be phased out of medical products.

Greenpeace Statement on Vinyl
12/14/99 Greenpeace says the vinyl industry agrees with them on the effects of PVCs in toys; the difference is in their business approach.

Protecting Artificial Joints
12/10/99 Over time, the bodies immune system attacks artificial joints. Rather than trying to solve the problem with new materials, researchers are now targeting biological interactions.

Toys from Plants
12/08/99 Bowing to environmental scare tactics, Mattel will begin phasing out plastics in toys aimed at children under three. Materials derived from edible oils and plant starches will be used instead. $1.50

Composite Wound Dressing
08/30/99 A new biodegradable composite made from crab shell fibers and polymer film provide improved healing for burn wounds.

Rapid Prosthetics
08/24/99 Using a laser scanning system and a CNC foam cutter, VA centers are able to make custom prosthetic limbs in about a day.

Prosthetic Limb Developments
04/05/99 Thanks to advances in materials and electronics, today's prosthetic limbs are much more capable than those of even a few years ago.

Plastic Blood Vessels
03/25/99 A Cal Tech researcher has developed a new polymer which can help the body to regrow blood vessels.

Cow Prosthesis
09/30/98 Farmers in Pennsylvania give their cow an artificial leg after an amputation.

Artificial Muscles
09/30/98 Researchers are developing materials with the same strength and elasticity as muscles, and which can be stimulated using electrical charges.

Burro Prosthesis
09/02/98 After one of his donkeys had a hind leg amputated, Bill Lee got it a graphite/epoxy artificial leg.

Ceramic Joints
07/07/98 Encore is developing ceramic hip and knee replacement joints. Ceramics offer a longer lifetime than current metal-and-plastic joints.

Waterproof Casts
06/30/98 Fiberglass casts lined with a Gore-Tex like material allow you to swim even if you have a broken arm...just don't try the breast stroke.

Artificial Fingers
04/20/98 A researcher has developed an artificial finger joint made from pyrolitic carbon. Widespread use is still several years off because the finger must go through the FDA aproval cycle.

Halo Device
01/21/98 A halo is used to immobilize the head follwoing a neck injury. Lightweight carbon halos are a significant improvement over metal, because they must be worn for several months.

Cranial Implants
10/20/97 Rapid prototyping techniques and medical grade plastics allow surgeons to repair large holes in skulls.

Artificial Muscles Dispense Medicine
09/25/00 In a new application for artificial muscles, a scientist at Ohio State University has developed a system for automatically dispensing medicines from an implant.

Polymer Aids Bone Healing
08/25/00 A new putty-like polymer aids the healing of broken bones. It could replace current materials used to hold fractured bones together.

Prosthetic Workshop
09/04/00 Rinko Orthopedic Appliances is a small shop which manufacturers prosthetics. Using plaster molds, they manufacture mainly artificial legs, using plastics, composites, and metals.

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