Short term tissue response to carbon fibre: A preliminary in vitro and in vivo study

Carbon in the form of pyrolytic carbon coating is used in a number of impla ntable medical devices. Carbon-reinforced carbon composite and other forms of diamond-like carbon coatings are being evaluated for their many potentia l biomedical applications. There is also a possibility of using carbon in f ibre form. Though the possibility of using the fibre form of carbon in skel etal and dental implants has been recognized, a detailed study of tissue re action to carbon fibre has not been reported so far. In this paper, we desc ribe in vitro and irt vivo evaluation of carbon fibre in bone and muscle. G ood cell and tissue biocompatibility of the material was observed in bone a nd muscle. New bone was present in contact with the fibres. Results of this study indicate that carbon fibre has potential in non-load bearing applica tions, such as skeletal repair and as ligament prosthesis.