Precious Metals for Biomedical Applications

6

Platinum group metals (PGMs) for permanent implantable electronic devices

B.K. Woodward,    Johnson Matthey, USA

Abstract:

For more than 40 years platinum alloys have been employed extensively in a range of permanent implantable electronic medical devices and components. In recent years, lesser known platinum group metals (PGMs) such as palladium and iridium have emerged as a viable complements to platinum in certain implantable electronic medical device applications. Platinum alloys have been employed extensively in modern minimally invasive treatments for coronary artery disease – such as angioplasty and stents – where inertness and visibility under X-ray are crucial. Platinum and platinum/iridium alloys continue to be the first choice for ...