Die Konstruktionsmerkmale von Endoprothesen aus Al2O3 werden vorgestellt. Die Befestigung am langen Röhrenknochen erfolgt mittels einer Kegelhülsenverbindung. Diese Prothesen-Knochenverbindung wurde mechanischen Festigkeitsprüfungen unterworfen and im Tierexperiment überprüft. Die Ergebnisse ermutigten zur klinischen Anwendung am Tumorpatienten, die an Hand verschiedener Fälle demonstriert wird. Auf die Möglichkeit, auch große Defekte zu überbrücken, wird hingewiesen.

Various implants have been developed for the upper and lower extremities and the spine. In order to establish whether endoprostheses made of Al2O3 will show the same good biocompatibility in humans as it has in experiments with animals, endoprostheses implantations were performed in 4 patients: 2 upper arms, 1 radius, 1 vertebra body. The implants were exposed to various loads. The biomechanical conditions were considered in the construction. The results reveal that the knowledge of material properties and prior calculations make possible the development of satisfactory endoprostheses. X-ray examinations confirm these deductions. Good functionality was achieved in vivo with all implants. They were all mechanially anchored, no bone cement was used. Thus the biocompatibility of the material was not limited. A histological examination is made of one implant. The macroscopic examination showed a stable fit and no pathological reactions, X-rays revealed that the bone remained in good contact with the implant. The longest observation period was over 1 1/4 years. Present observations show that the use of Al2O3 implants, without the use of additional materials (bone cement), results in a tight fit of the implants.

Article Erfahrungen bei der Entwicklung und dem Einsatz neuer Implantate zum Ersatz verschiedener Skelettanteile was published on January 1, 1973 in the journal Biomedical Engineering / Biomedizinische Technik (volume 18, issue s1).