Medical & Pharmaceutical Testing

In the medical field our expertise is in the analysis of bone and related materials. We have many years of experience in bone analysis because of the use of calcined bone in bone china products. Routine analysis can be conducted on natural bone and bone substitutes to determine the chemical composition by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) or Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometry (ICP) and mineral phases present, such as hydroxy(l)apatite / tricalcium phosphate ratios by X Ray Diffraction (XRD).

We are able to offer a range of physical tests that determine the bending (3 or 4 point) and crushing strength, porosity, surface area, density, thermal expansion, and friction measurements which can provide invaluable information depending on the application of the material.

Microstructural services are also available, utilising Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), optical microscopes as well as the surface analysis techniques available at The Centre for Surface & Materials Analysis (CSMA).

Customers that may find these services useful are:

• Bone and bone substitute manufacturers
• Bone implant manufacturers
• Users of HA/ TCP e.g. deposition spray services
• Medical devices manufacturers (stents etc)
• Pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Related Resources:

• The Centre for Surface and Materials Analysis
• Medical & Pharmaceutical