News

Platinum Use in Medical Devices Highlighted in April's PMR

The most recent edition of the Platinum Metals Review, PMR, features a
comprehensive review of the biomedical applications which incorporate
platinum as an integral part of devices and active pharmaceutical
ingredients used to sustain and enhance quality of life.

London, UK…The April edition of the Platinum Metals Review (PMR), the platinum industry's
leading technical journal, has published a comprehensive review of those biomedical applications
which depend upon platinum and its alloys to sustain and improve the quality of life.  The article
entitled A Healthy Future:  Platinum in Medical Applications, appears in the Platinum Metals 
Review, Volume 55 Issue 2, April 2011, Pgs 98 - 107.

Despite the perception of high cost, the unique chemical, mechanical and electrical properties of
platinum have been recognized by leading medical device companies as an enabling technology
in developing next generational device with increased longevity and durability.  Because of the
metal's radiopacity, conductivity and inertness, platinum has been incorporated as an integral part
of a range of specialized devices including pacemakers, defibrillators, stents and neurostimulation
devices.

Platinum has become a reliable tool in the arsenal of medical device companies who are striving
to satisfy the growing demand for advanced medical technologies as the global population
expands and ages in both the developed and emerging economies.

The full article may be read at:  http://www.platinummetalsreview.com/pdf/98-107-pmr-apr11.pdf

About the Authors:

  Alison Cowley has worked in Johnson Matthey's Market Research department since 1990 and currently holds the post of Principal Analyst.  She is Johnson Matthey's specialist on mining and supplies of the platinum group metals (pgms).  She also conducts research into the demand for pgms in a number of industrial markets including the biomedical and aerospace sectors.

Brain Woodward has been involved in the electronic materials and platinum fabrication business for more than 25 years and is currently the General manager of Johnson Matthey's Medical Components business based in San Diego, CA, USA.  He holds BS and MBA degrees in Business and Management and has been focused on value-added components supply to the medical device industry.