World Implantable Medical Devices Spur Demand For Titanium

Global demand for titanium for medical device implants is growing rapidly, with artificial hip and knee products dominating.

In the U.S. market alone, demand for artificial hip and knee implants is projected to exceed 4 million by 2030, a 300% increase in 20 years, according to data published by Siemens.

Titanium implantable devices are widely used in the medical field. There are more than a dozen standard sizes and types of artificial hip joints, which was unthinkable a few years ago.

Titanium for medical implants is mainly used for artificial joints, but the number of titanium and titanium mesh for reconstructing damaged bones is also growing.

Titanium is widely used in medical implants because it does not rust or react with human tissue. It also features titanium implanted device surfaces that are specifically adapted to bone growth.

New medical applications are also growing rapidly. At the beginning of the year, the first titanium deep squat was implanted in Europe. The implant was manufactured in Belgium. The jaw was placed in a metal layer using laser-melted titanium powder, a process known as rapid prototyping.

An uncommon application for titanium is orthopedic implant coatings.

A developer and supplier of titanium coatings is APS Materials, Inc. which uses titanium plasma coatings and other techniques to coat titanium on implants. The coatings are typically CP (industrially pure titanium) or standard 6-4 titanium alloys.

The coatings are designed to help hold the implant in place and support bone growth. They have been used in hip and knee joints, as well as disc replacements and other medical applications.