Titanium dioxide uses in medicine
- Mingpai
- 2024-06-04 11:43:15
Titanium dioxide (TiO₂), while primarily known for its industrial applications, also finds specific uses in medicine and pharmaceuticals due to its biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and unique optical properties. Some of its applications in this field include:
Drug Delivery Systems: The particle size, surface area, and morphology of titanium dioxide can be manipulated to create efficient drug delivery vehicles. Nano-sized titanium dioxide particles have been investigated for targeted drug delivery, allowing drugs to reach specific sites within the body more effectively.
Tablet and Capsule Coating: Titanium dioxide is used as an outer coating for tablets and capsules to provide an aesthetically pleasing white finish and to improve their stability by creating a barrier against moisture and light. This helps protect light-sensitive ingredients and enhances patient compliance due to improved tablet appearance.
Opacifying Agent in Ointments and Creams: In topical medications, titanium dioxide can be added to make ointments and creams more opaque, which can help protect light-sensitive active ingredients or improve patient experience by masking underlying skin tones or wounds.
Medical Implants and Prosthetics: Thanks to its biocompatibility and inertness, titanium dioxide is a component in some implantable medical devices and prosthetic materials, such as those used in orthopedics. It may be used in coatings to improve the bonding between metal implants and bone tissue or to enhance the antibacterial properties of surfaces.
Dental Applications: In dentistry, titanium dioxide can be part of composite filling materials and coatings for dental implants due to its aesthetic appeal, durability, and biocompatibility.
Wound Dressings: Its photocatalytic and antibacterial properties are being researched for potential use in advanced wound dressings that could promote healing by killing bacteria and reducing inflammation when exposed to light.
Surgical Instruments and Equipment: Some surgical instruments and equipment are coated with titanium dioxide to improve their cleanliness and reduce the risk of infection, leveraging its self-cleaning properties under specific lighting conditions.
It is important to note that while titanium dioxide is widely used in medicine, its safety in certain applications, especially at the nano scale, remains an area of ongoing research and regulatory scrutiny.
