Materials Database Incorporates Orthopedic Devices

Originally Published MPMN January/February 2008

NEED TO KNOW

Materials Database Incorporates Orthopedic Devices

Brian Buntz

Early last year, ASM International (Materials Park, OH; www.asminternational.org) and Granta Design (Cambridge, UK; www.grantadesign.com) introduced a comprehensive, cross-referenced materials database for supporting medical device design. The initial release was limited to materials used in cardiovascular devices; now the database has been expanded with an orthopedic module.

With all research done at the PhD level, the database is designed to provide access to authoritative, peer-reviewed sources of engineering data, biological response information, and FDA approvals. The materials compiled in the database are linked to records that reference their mechanical and engineering properties. The various grades of material that are available, along with the suppliers, are included and all of the data are traceable to primary sources, most of which can be accessed online.

“This resource can be used to lower the cost of materials research by simplifying preparation of regulatory submissions and eliminating unnecessary exploratory screenings,” according to Raymond Sirochman, managing liaison for ASM’s materials and processes for the medical devices market.

The orthopedic materials database, which currently catalogs nearly 1200 devices, will be updated four times a year. Scheduled for March, the next update will incorporate materials used in hip and knee implants. Future releases will continue to expand the coverage of orthopedic and cardiovascular applications.

“The cardiovascular module has already been updated quite a bit since it was introduced,” explains Sirochman. “It now offers new materials and drugs, and it includes 1600 new device records. The nitinol record has been completely revamped.”

The database can be licensed for online access or local server installation. In-house server installations have the benefit of supporting inclusion of proprietary data. Its database continues to be a work in progress, with other modules being readied by ASM and Granta Design. Dental and neurological devices are up next.

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