Overview

There are many different forms of carbon such as coal, graphite, and diamond, all of which have different properties. Each PyroCarbon component is comprised of a PyroCarbon layer encasing a machine graphite substrate. Similar pyrocarbon/graphite components have been successfully used for more than 35 years in the construction of artificial mechanical heart valves.

PyroCarbon is used in medical devices and has over 15 million patient-years of experience with cardiac valve prostheses and over 25 years of clinical experience as a ball and socket implant1 Over two million pyrocarbon heart valves have been implanted with results demonstrating the material’s superior biocompatibility, strength, fatigue resistance and wear resistance. PyroCarbon has a modulus of elasticity similar to cortical bone making it biomechanically compatible with bone. Many clinical studies have confirmed the biocompatibility of pyrocarbon with bone and successful use of pyrocarbon MCP total joint replacements has been demonstrated in human clinical use1 and through animal studies². PyroCarbon:

• A solid, non-fibrous form of carbon that will not fragment. PyroCarbon is not carbon fiber.
  • Carbon fibers are a weaker form of carbon consisting of fine filaments that require epoxy or “glue” to hold the fibers together. Examples: golf clubs, mountain bikes, cars, and boats.
• Radiolucent, 0.5-1.0mm of PyroCarbon coating on a graphite substrate
  • A common misconception is a “loose” implant remember the outer layer of implant (0.5 - 1mm) is entirely composed of pyrocarbon which is radiolucent.
  • Graphite core contains 1% atomic weight of tungsten and is visible on X-ray.
• Cartilage Friendly o 18 month follow up in hip acetabulum of canine showed 92% cartilage survivorship probability with a PyroCarbon component compared to 20% Survivorship with other metals such as Titanium and Cobalt Chrome.
• Has been used successfully in Hemi Arthroplasties for over 5 years o “Healthy cartilage where PyroCarbon is articulating” ^{3, 4} o “Healthy layer of healthy fibrous psuedocartilage where the pyrocarbon has been articulating”⁵
• Bone Friendly, after 5 million cycles PyroCarbon exhibited superior wear performance against corical bone than metals and ceramics⁶

1. Cook SD, Beckenbaugh RD, Redondo J, Popich LS, Klawitter JJ, and Linscheid RL; Long Term Follow-up of Pyrolytic Carbon Metacarpophalangeal Implants, JBJS, May 1999, Vol. 81-A/No 5, 635.

2. Cook SD, Thomas KA Kester MA, “Wear Characteristics of the Canine Acetabulum Against Different Femoral Prostheses,” JBJS, 1989; 71-B(2): 189-197.

3. Couzens G., Hussian N., and Ross M. (2004). Pyrocarbon PIPJ and MCPJ Hemiarthroplasty. 9th Congress of the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of thee Hand, Budapest (Hungary), June 13-17, 2004.

4. Ross M. (2008). PIP and MCP Joint Arthroplasty. 63rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for surgery of the hand, Chicago, IL. September 18-20, 2008.

5. C.J. Bravo, MD, R.D. Beckenbaugh, MD, K.B. Hormel, RN, “Early Experiences of CMC Arthroplasty Using the PyroCarbon HemiSphere Implant,” Poster presented at AAHS 2005.

6. Strzepa P, Klawitter J, “Ascension PyroCarbon Hemisphere Wear Testing Against Bone,” Poster No. 0897, 51st Annual Meeting of the Orthopedic Research Society.