Challenges to Creating Replacements That Work
Getting It To Stay In Place
Getting It To Stay In Place
Fixatives from the 1800s
When the first joint implants were tried in the late 1800s, researchers experimented with many different formulae for bonding agents.
Here are a few of the ingredients that they used. Can you identify them?
Mouse over the image for the answer.
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This very light volcanic rock was ground up and mixed into an early form of bone cement. Pumice is still used today as an ingredient in cements for building, when light weight is particularly desirable. |
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The mineral gypsum has a long history of use in cements and plasters, including several tried as bonding agents for replacement joints in the 1800s. Its most common use today is as the filler in drywall boards. |
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This substance is made from the sap of conifers. It has a long history of use as an adhesive and was a natural substance for early researchers to explore when looking for a way to hold implants in place. |
Today, it is used as an ingredient in mascara, lipstick, and many other products. Violinists apply it to their bows to increase friction with the violin strings, while ballet dancers use it on their toe shoes to reduce the chance of slipping! | |
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In the 1800s, copper amalgam (copper mixed with mercury) was tried as a possible bonding agent for replacement joints. In this century, it was used as a material for dental implants. |
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