Elemental carbon as a biomaterial

Advanced forms of elemental carbon were identified as potential implantable prosthetic materials and a study was conducted to determine specific applications. A survey of the carbon industry established material sources and specifications on available types of material. Specimen materials were supplied to several research organizations for in‐vivo evaluation and produced acceptable results. Specific designs have been generated for a broad range of implantable prosthetics and prototypes have been provided for preliminary evaluation. The feasibilty of an organic mechanical attachment between cortical bone tissues and elemental carbon has been successfully demonstrated.