Abstract
Fabrication of a biocompatible micro device is predominantly done by silicon micromachining techniques. The litho-graphic and etching techniques require preparation and the use of masks which are time consuming and costly. Since bio research involves highly complex mechanisms, the modeling and simulation is difficult and experimental study is inevitable. To incorporate frequent design changes and to realize the hardware quickly, fabrication processes, complementary to the silicon micromachining techniques are required. In the present work the feasibility of using micro electro-discharge machining (EDM) for the fabrication of biocompatible microdevice has been studied. Micro channels with feature size as small as 25 μm are realized. The process is further improved by the introduction of ultrasonic vibration of the workpiece and the total time taken for the hardware realization is about 4 hours. The effects of ultrasonic vibration on the roughness of the spark eroded surface has been studied and reported. The potential of using micro EDM for making biocompatible devices for bio experiments is demonstrated and the surface finish achieved is well within the recommended R_z and R_a values of 3.4 and 0.4 μm respectively for biological studies like implant abutment.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
D.F. Williams, The Williams Dictionary of Biomaterials (Liverpool University Press, Liverpool, UK, 1999), p. 40.
J. Braybrook, Biocompatibility: Assessment of Medical Devices and Materials (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1997), p. 231.
I. Dion, C. Baquey, J.R. Monties, and P. Havlik, Biomaterials 14, 122-126 (1993).
E.A. Trillo, C. Ortiz, P. Dickerson, R. Villa, S.W. Stafford, and L.E. Murr, J. of Mat. Sci.: Mat. in Med. 12, 283-292 (2001).
W.H. Wollaston, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 113, 17-22 (1823).
P.H. Morton, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Series A, Math. and Phys. Sci. 282, 401-411 (1976).
C.B. Johansson, J. Lausmaa, T. Rostlund, and P. Thomsen, J. of Mat. Sci.: Mat. in Med. 4, 132-141 (1993).
T.E. McGovern, J. Black, J.J. Jacobs, R.M. Graham, and M. LaBerge, J. of Biomed. Mat. Res. 32, 447-457 (1996).
R. Villa, C.R. Ortiz, E. Trillo, W.S. Stafford, and L.E. Murr, Scan. J. Scan. Microsc. 22, 103-104 (2000).
L.N. Lopez de Lacalle, J. Perez-Bilbatua, J.A. Sanchez, J.I. Llorente, A. Gutierrez, and J. Alboniga, Int. J. of Adv. Man. Tech. 16, 85-91 (2000).
G.B. Lee, S.H. Chen, G.R. Huang, W.C. Sung, and Y.H. Lin, Sensors and Actuators B 75, 142-148 (2001).
K.P. Rajurkar and Z.Y. Yu, Man. Engin. 125, 68-75 (2000).
M.C. Garcia-Alonso, L. Saldana, G. Valles, J.L. Gonzalez-Carrasco, J. Gonzalez-Cabrero, M.E. Martinez, E. Gil-Garay, and L. Munuera, Biomaterials 24, 19-26, 1(2003).
C. Gao and Z. Liu, J. of Mat. Pro. Tech. 139, 226-228 (2003).
Z. Wansheng, W. Zhenlong, D. Shichun, C. Guanxin, and W. Hongyu, J. of Mat. Proc. Tech. 120, 101-106 (2002).
M. Li, S. Yang, and Z. Wang, Chinese J. of Stomatology 36, 431-433 (2001).
D.D. Deligianni, N. Katsala, S. Ladas, D. Sotiropoulou, J. Amedee, and Y.F. Missirlis, Biomaterials 22, 1241-1251 (2001).
P. Linez-Bataillon, F. Monchau, M. Bigerelle, and H.F. Hildebrand, Biomol. Engin. 19, 133-141 (2002).
Z. Schwartz, C.H. Lohmann, A.K. Vocke, V.L. Sylvia, D.L. Cochran, D.D. Dean, and B.D. Boyan, J. of Bio. Mat. Res. 56, 417-426 (2001).
A.L. Rosa and M.M. Beloti, Brazilian Dental Journal 14, 16-21 (2003).
M. Fini, L. Savarino, N.N. Aldini, L. Martini, G. Giavaresi, G. Rizzi, D. Martini, A. Ruggeri, A. Giunti, and R. Giardino, Biomaterials 24, 3183-3192 (2003).
A.L. Rosa and M.M. Beloti, Oral Implants Research 14, 43-48 (2003).
C.J. Keller, G.B. Schneider, C.M. Stanford, and B. Kellogg, Implant Dentistry 12, 175-181 (2003).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Murali, M., Yeo, S.H. Rapid Biocompatible Micro Device Fabrication by Micro Electro-Discharge Machining. Biomedical Microdevices 6, 41–45 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BMMD.0000013364.71148.51
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BMMD.0000013364.71148.51