Implanted Medical devices in Humans

The purpose of implants into the human body is to help extend and improve the quality of life. We generally agree today that medically necessary devices are extending our lives and helping us live and participate more fully in the world in which we live.

Devices available include such things as:

1. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) help normalize heart function in people with cardiac arrhythmias or improper electric signaling in the heart which can lead to heart attacks or heart failure. These devices monitor and treat abnormal heart rhythms when they are detected by sending a large jolt of electricity to the heart and, basically, resetting the heart’s normal function.

2. Artificial hips are used to replace degenerated weight bearing joints in which the cartilage has worn down leading to painful friction of bone rubbing against bone.

3. Heart pacemakers treat abnormal rhythms in the heart when the normal rhythm is not functioning well enough to maintain a normal pace by passing electrical signals to keep the heart going properly

4. Breast implants are performed for various reasons, including reconstruction after a mastectomy or for purely cosmetic reasons.

5. Spine Screws, Rods and Artificial Discs are used in spinal fusion surgery for back problems to alleviate weakness and pain.

6. Intrauterine Devices are used as a preferred method of contraception by many women.

7. Metal Screws, Pins, Plates and Rods are used to realign and stabilize broken bones in a procedure called open reduction and internal fixation.

8. Artificial knees are used to replace knees in which cartilage has broken down causing pain resulting from bone rubbing on bone.

9. Coronary stents are small tubes that are placed into the arteries that supply blood to the heart. These are used when coronary arteries are partially blocked by atherosclerotic lesions.

10. Ear tubes are used when middle ear infections cause blockage of the eustachian tubes and prevent fluid from draining.

11. Artificial Eye Lens can be used to replace a person’s own lens during cataract surgery.