Biological performance of tantalum.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Medical Device Materials
• Orthopedic Research

Background:

• Tantalum is a metal with a long history of clinical use.
• Understanding its biological performance is crucial for developing new medical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review the existing literature on the biological performance of tantalum.
• To assess tantalum's suitability as a biomaterial for various medical applications.

Main Methods:

• A detailed literature search was conducted.
• Existing studies on tantalum's in vivo and in vitro behavior were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Pure tantalum and its oxide are largely inert, with low solubility and toxicity.
• Tantalum demonstrates benign host responses, including vital encapsulation and osteointegration.
• Halide compounds of tantalum show higher biological activity.

Conclusions:

• Metallic tantalum is a highly promising biomaterial with excellent biological performance.
• Its clinical applications have been historically limited by technical, not biological, factors.
• Tantalum is a material of choice for specific applications like radiographic bone markers and cranial closure.