The Use of Ceramics in Prosthetic Heart Valves

Abstract

A survey is carried out of how various ceramics have been used or considered as materials for prosthetic heartvalves. The ceramics include pyrolitic carbon, titanium dioxide, porous and fully dense alumina, and single crystal alumina. Particular attention is paid to the ability of some types of alumina to support a stable tissue covering which then camouflages them from further interactions with the blood.