Biomedical Pyrolytic Carbon

Pyrolytic carbon is also in medical use to coat anatomically correct orthopedic implants, a.k.a. replacement joints. In this application it is currently marketed under the name "PyroCarbon". These implants have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the hand for metacarpophalangeal (knuckle) replacements. They are produced by two companies: Tornier (BioProfile) and Ascension Orthopedics.^[5] On September 23, 2011, Integra LifeSciences acquired Ascension Orthopedics. The company’s pyrolytic carbon implants have been used to treat patients with different forms of osteoarthritis.^[6][7] In January 2021, Integra LifeSciences sold its orthopedics company to Smith+Nephew for $240 million.^[8]

The FDA has also approved PyroCarbon interphalangeal joint replacements under the Humanitarian Device Exemption.^[9]