Materials for Medical Technology

11M2246

Master

German

5.0

only winter term

1 semester

Materials for use in medical technology must fulfil special requirements in terms of both the properties of the materials and the regulatory framework. This has a direct influence on the selection, manufacture and use of materials and requires special knowledge of the specific requirements of materials for use in different medical application areas. In this lecture, students acquire an understanding of the selection, development and application of materials in the special field of medical technology. The lecture aims to generate a cross-material understanding.

1. Requirements for materials for medical technology: definitions, property profiles, regulatory aspects, medical grade plastics, sterilisability, ageing, corrosion, MDR / medical device classes, coatings, recycling

2. Ceramic materials
a) (Tri)-calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, bone cements
b) Zirconium dioxide, aluminium oxide, lithium disilicate
c) Bioglasses/bioceramics

3. Metallic materials
a) Titanium and titanium alloys
b) Magnesium alloys
c) CoCrMo, surgical steel

4. Polymeric materials
a) Amorphous and semi-crystalline thermoplastics (PVC, PP, PE, PS, PC, UHMWPE)
b) Elastomers (TPU, silicone rubber, rubber elastomers)

5. Practical examples of the use of materials in medical applications
(implants, prostheses, bone replacement, tubes, syringes, suture material, 

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

• Written examination or
• oral exam

The examiners choose the type of examination from the options provided and inform the students at the beginning of the semester.

Written exam: see the applicable study regulations Oral exam: see the general section of the examination regulations

The module assumes basic knowledge of materials engineering, as acquired in introductory modules. In particular, prior knowledge of the following material groups is important: plastics, metals and ceramics.

Students will be able to name the requirements for materials in medical technology applications and list and categorise typical representatives of the different material groups for this application.

Students will be able to discuss material selection in a targeted and cross-material manner based on the criteria for the use of materials in medical technology. 

Students will be able to differentiate between the advantages and disadvantages of materials for use in medical technology.

Students are able to derive research questions for the development of innovative materials for medical technology based on the acquired knowledge and database research.

• Susoff, Markus Lothar

• Strickstrock, Monika