PyroCarbon: a high strength ceramic-like isotropic coating over a graphite substrate.

PyroCarbon: is not carbon fiber, graphite impregnated plastic, etc.
PyroCarbon is ideally suited for the manufacture of finger joint prostheses:

The Ascension MCP implant's stem strength was not reduced after cyclic loading of 8 to 80 lbs. for 10 million cycles.

Lab testing has shown the wear rate for a PyroCarbon on PyroCarbon joint surface is less than one tenth that of metal on UHMWPE.

Tissue samples examined during long term follow-up of PyroCarbon MCP implants averaging 11.8 years showed no evidence of particulate synovitis or intracellular wear particles.

PyroCarbon's biochemical, biomechanical compatibility promotes appositional bone growth resulting in a stable bone/implant interface.

Inert nature of PyroCarbon eliminates concern with silicone and other less biocompatible materials.

No cement required, eliminating potential cement-related complications

Elastic modulus of PyroCarbon is similar to bone, minimizing bone loss due to stress shielding.

Over 2 million PyroCarbon mechanical heart valve prostheses have been implanted since 1969, demonstrating:

Biocompatibiltiy - demonstrated by 15 million patient-years of experience with PyroCarbon cardiac valve prostheses.

Strength - Critical components of life sustaining cardiac valves have relied on PyroCarbon's strength for over 30 years

Fatigue and Wear Resistance - Critical structures of cardiac valves demonstrate outstanding PyroCarbon on PyroCarbon wear and fatigue resistance after lab testing and clinical experience in excess of 600 million cycles of heart function.

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