Failure Analysis of Medical Implants

This is an advanced graduate level course in which students will learn the protocol and will begin practicing the practical skills necessary to analyze failures of medical implants and prostheses following in vitro testing or clinical use. A brief review of structure, mechanical and electrochemical properties of materials used for biomedical applications will be provided. Methods used to determine appropriate material characteristics, such as grain structure, secondary phases, pores, inclusions, and mechanical and corrosion properties will be covered. Failures of metallic, polymeric, and ceramic materials will be analyzed with emphasis on methods for specimen cleaning and preservation, visual inspection, documentation, and optical and electron microscopy techniques. Prerequisite: BMS 701A/B and BMS 702A/B or Consent of Instructor.