The healing properties of precious metals have been a closely held belief among humankind for much of our medical history. Cleopatra is rumored to have slept in a gold face mask for beauty. In the 16th century, French nobility Diane de Poitiers drank so much gold that when modern scientists analyzed a lock of her hair, it contained more than five hundred times normal levels. We still turn to gold and other precious metals in health matters, but their applications have significantly evolved.
Precious metals are essential in medicine, due to their unique properties like biocompatibility, conductivity, and antimicrobial effects.
Brief Overview of Their Medical Applications
Diagnostic Imaging and Procedures
- Gold nanoparticles are used as optical biosensors, imaging contrast agents, drug delivery vehicles, and for laser-based treatments.
- Platinum is a key component in medical imaging devices due to its stability and reliability.
Treatments
- Gold is used in treatments for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis through gold salts and in cancer therapy using gold nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery.
- Platinum is found in chemotherapy drugs, which are effective in treating various cancers.
Medical Devices and Implants
- Silver is utilized for its antibacterial properties in wound dressings, catheters, and implants to prevent infections.
- Platinum and palladium are used in pacemakers, defibrillators, and other medical implants due to their excellent biocompatibility and conductivity.
Dental Applications
- Gold is used in dental crowns, bridges, and fillings for its durability and compatibility with human tissue.
- Palladium is commonly used in dental alloys to create strong and resilient dental restorations.
Surgical Instruments and Equipment
- Silver is integrated into surgical instruments and coatings for its antimicrobial properties, reducing the risk of post-surgical infections.
Benefits of Using Precious Metals in Medicine
The unique properties of precious metals make them important in advancing medical technologies and improving patient care across many fields.
Biocompatibility
Metals like gold and platinum are compatible with the human body and can be used with minimal negative reactions. This makes them ideal for implants and prosthetics.
Antimicrobial Properties
Silver has strong antimicrobial properties making it helpful with preventing infections. It is often used in wound dressings and to coat medical devices.
Diagnostic Capabilities
Gold enhances the contrast in imaging so medical workers can better see tissues and organs.
Therapeutic Uses
Gold compounds are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and platinum medicines help with chemotherapy treatments.
Longevity
Platinum and gold are resistant to corrosion making them suitable implants and they last longer than other substances so there are less replacements required.
Conductivity
Gold and platinum are highly conductive and reliable. They are used in defibrillators and pacemakers.
Ongoing research into the properties of precious metals continues to open new possibilities in medicine, from nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems to advanced diagnostic tools.
Challenges When Using Precious Metals in Medicine
The first hurdle is cost. Metals like gold, platinum, and palladium are costly which can limit accessibility. Additionally, research and development, manufacturing, and mining costs on top of the legal challenges drive up the cost even more.
Other Metals are Used in Medicine
- Stainless Steel: implants, body piercings, surgical tools
- Copper: dental implants, biocides
- Titanium: dental implants, skeletal support
- Cobalt Chrome: joint replacements, dental implants
- Aluminum: bed frames, wheelchairs, IV stands
- Magnesium: temporary stents, bone graph replacements
- Iridium: wiring
- Tantalum: dental devices, cranial bone replacements
Due to their unique properties, precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium have become vital to medical science. These metals significantly contribute to many aspects of healthcare, including diagnostics, treatment, and medical devices.
