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The Use of Tungsten as a Chronically Implanted Material
Shah Idil, A.1
*
, & Donaldson, N.1
1. Implanted Devices Group, Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, UK.
Abstract
This review paper shows that tungsten should not generally by used as a chronically implanted
material.
The metal has a long implant history, from neuroscience, vascular medicine, radiography,
orthopaedics, prosthodontics, and various other fields, primarily as a result of its high density,
radiopacity, tensile strength and yield point. However a crucial material criterion for chronically
implanted metals is their long term resistance to corrosion in body fluids, either by inherently noble
metallic surfaces, or by protective passivation layers of metal oxide. The latter is often assumed for
elemental tungsten, with references to its “inertness” and “stability” common in the literature. This
review argues that in the body metallic tungsten fails this criterion, and will eventual dissolve into
the soluble hexavalent form W6+, typically represented by the orthotungstate WO42- (monomeric
tungstate) anion. This paper outlines the metal’s unfavourable corrosion thermodynamics in the
human physiological environment, the chemical pathways to either metallic or metal oxide
dissolution, the rate limiting steps and corrosion accelerating effects of reactive oxidising species the
immune system produces post-implantation.
Multiple examples of implant corrosion have been reported, with failure by dissolution to varying
extents up to total loss, with associated emission of tungstate ions and elevated blood serum levels
measured. The possible toxicity of these corrosion products is also explored.
As the field of medical implants grows and designers explore novel solutions to medical implant
problems, the authors recommend the use of alternative materials.
Keywords: tungsten, medical devices, implants, corrosion, chronic
*
a.shahidil@ucl.ac.uk
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1. Tungsten – An Overview
Tungsten (W, atomic number 74), as a result of its unique material characteristics, has long been used
to make medical implants. It belongs to the refractory group of metals, those known for their
extraordinary resistance to heat and wear [1, 2]. It has the highest melting point of all the metals
(3422°C) [3] and the lowest vapour pressure. It has very high tensile strength [4] and is a hard, tough
material that resists buckling forces at small dimensions. It is one of the densest of the naturally
occurring elements, at 19.25g/cm3 (surpassed only by U, Re, Pt, Ir, and Os) [3, 5]. W has the largest
cohesive energy of all the elements, including diamond (carbon): 7.9-10.09eV/atom depending on the
theoretical approach [6]. The only stable crystallographic form is α-W, with a body-centred cubic
lattice structure [5]. These physical characteristics originate from the nature of tungsten’s metallic
bonding, with strong unsaturated covalent bonds between the valence 5d orbitals [3]. The interested
may pursue tungsten’s physical and chemical properties further in reference texts: Lassner &
Schubert’s [3] or Gmelin’s Atlas [7].
From a biological perspective, W plays a role only in bio-molecules in niche ecologies, as metal sites
bound by protein-derived ligands in tungsto-enzymes in hyperthermophilic archaea [8, 9] usually in
cognates to molybdenum [10]. These extremophiles are termed “obligate anaerobes” and their
tungsto-enzymes catalyse redox reactions involving carboxylic group to aldehyde group conversions
[3]. There are no other reported instances of W bio-molecules and no reported functions of W in
human biology.
2. Corrosion
Corrosion behaviour of a metal cannot be divorced from the very specific environmental conditions
in which it will be expected to operate. It is the interplay of metal and environment that determines
the thermodynamics, kinetics and pathways of the corrosion process [11]. The operating environment
of medical implants can be modelled as wet, chloride-rich saline with reactive highly oxidising
species present due to the inflammation response [12, 13]. The pH is typically 7.4, but may vary from
5.6 post-surgery to 9.0 during infection [14, 15]. The effects of various other environmental factors
such as proteins, lipids, and ions should also be considered.
W has often been referred to as having “excellent corrosion resistance” [3] and in some biomaterials
literature as “inert” and “stable” [16, 17] in aqueous solutions [18]. However, in the presence of water,
at 25⁰C under 1 atm pressure, metallic W is not thermodynamically stable [14, 19, 20]. In neutral
aqueous solutions a native WO3 metal oxide film forms but continually dissolves away, and is thus
non-passivating [3].
2.1. Corrosion Thermodynamics and Pourbaix Diagrams
The electrochemical behaviour of W has a complicated pH dependence. Some authors have divided
its electrochemical behaviour into 5 distinct pH regimes with different reaction mechanisms, few of
which are relevant to the implant designer [21].
W forms a stable oxide layer of WO3 in acidic solutions (pH < 4) [22-31] – this is well known,
technologically significant in other fields but well outside the operating pH range of typical medical
implants (except gastric implants).
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In solutions of neutral and alkaline pH values, the WxOy surface species form soluble tungstate ions
(often represented as “orthotungstate” WO42- [32]) which results in the continual dissolution of
surface material; these are the products of W-oxide dissolution as well as active W metal dissolution
at higher pHs [23, 33-35]. All authors agree that in neutral-to-alkaline aqueous environments, the
oxide phase on the metal surface hydrates, and then passes into solution as these hexavalent
tungstate ions [18, 33, 34, 36-42]. Weidman’s chronoamperometry measurements at 1.0V sweeping
from pH 0.5 to 13.0 presented sharp increases in current densities between pH 4-6 indicating there
is no passivation occurring via oxidation at higher pH values [22]. Heumann & Stolica used weight
loss measurements and coulometric methods to determine that the valence of dissolved W was
indeed 6.0 [36] agreeing with earlier work regarding W solubility.
According to Pourbaix, the borderline conditions of corrosion/passivation occur between pH 4-6
(Figure 1). Above pH 6, general corrosion will occur, with hydrogen evolution in the absence of
oxidising species, and without hydrogen evolution in their presence. The tendency for corrosion rises
with increasing potential [19] as may occur when W is used as stimulating electrodes. Weidman
reports that at current densities exceeding 0.1mAcm-2 there is a breakdown in the passivated surface
regardless of pH, even in acidic zones [22] - a possible alteration to Pourbaix’s initial diagram. This
acid-soluble WO22- ion has been proposed by others [43, 44].
Figure 1 – Pourbaix’s theoretical EH/pH diagram for W in H2O at 25⁰C [20]
The original Pourbaix diagram applies to pure water at 25⁰C, not the physiological environment, so
should be used with caution. His analysis also ignores the numerous complexes W forms – these
include hydrochloric complexes of trivalent W, hydrofluoric and oxalic complexes of tetravalent W
and cyanide complexes of pentavalent W. Some tungstates of alkali metals are soluble, others are
not [45].
A useful improvement to the diagram was generated computationally by Patrick for W in PBS using
the CorrosionAnalyzer 1.3 software – approximately 60 solid, aqueous and gaseous species were
considered [13]. It is redrawn here for clarity with dominant species labelled (Figure 2). Similar
conclusions can be made; W is clearly a base metal, with a stable domain in the physiological pH
range (x-y) (5.6 to 9.0 [14]) only outside of the water window (a-b).
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Figure 2 – EH/pH Diagram for W in PBS based on Patrick [13]
Heumann and Stolica and others still do refer to tungsten’s “protective film” of WO2 [18] – what may
be termed a protective or passive oxide film may continually form at all pH values, inhibiting
dissolution to some degree [46]. However, the long term behaviour remains continual dissolution into
soluble hexavalent W6+. With this continual dissolution process in neutral solutions W is unsuitable
for use as a chronic implant material.
2.2. Rates of Corrosion
Lassner and Schubert report corrosion of metallic W at the rate of 3.8µgm-2h-1 at 38⁰C in distilled
water [3]. Gmelin reports corrosion rates of 0.83µgm-2h-1 in 3% NaCl solutions and 89.2µgm-2h-1 in
10% KOH solutions, both at 20⁰C aerated and agitated [5, 7]. Of more significance, W exhibits a
corrosive weakness to hydrogen peroxide [46]. Peroxide solutions dissolve W without inhibition and
the rate of dissolution increases linearly with H2O2 concentration [7, 47]. Hydrogen peroxide etches
W along crystal planes (100), (111) and (112) and further at subgrains, and wide angle boundaries. It
rapidly dissolves powders [3], as well as bulk billets of compact W, with dissolution rates of 1.6mgL-
1min-1 reported in aqueous solutions of peroxide at a concentration of 14g H2O2/L over 180min at
20±1⁰C [48]. This peroxide effect has also been noted by Patrick et al. in a study on W
microelectrodes where an increase in corrosion rates on the range of 2 orders of magnitude in
benchtop studies with 30mM H2O2 in PBS vs no peroxide was reported [13].
While the relation between these experimental concentrations and physiological concentrations is
debatable, it is worth mentioning given that peroxide is readily produced in the body’s foreign-body
immune response near implants. In addition to peroxides, reactive oxygen species such as the
superoxide anion and the hydroxyl radical are rapidly released by immune cells including microglia
in the CNS [13, 49] and neutrophils in the blood [50] in events termed “oxidative bursts” [51-53]. In
non-acute animal studies, Prasad reports the presence of activated microglia near W electrode tracks
in all cases, indicating neuroimflammatory response regardless of post-implantation survival times
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and electrode performance [54]. These species would no doubt accelerate the corrosion of W through
the oxidation to its soluble hexavalent form.
Chemical Reactions
The overall 6 electron stoichiometric equation for neutral to basic solutions is [20, 34]:
W + 4H2O → WO42-(aq) + 8H+ + 6e-
This overall anodic equation occurs step-wise as below, elucidating the rate-determining step which
is first-order with respect to OH- [3]:
W(s) + 2OH- → WO+(s) + 3e- + H2O (1)
WO+(s) + 2OH- → WO2(s) + e- + H2O (2)
WO2(s) + OH- → WO3H(s) + e- (rate determining step) (3)
WO3H(s) + OH- → WO3(s) + e- + H2O (fast) (4)
WO3(s) + OH- → HWO4-(aq) (5)
HWO4-(aq) → WO42-(aq) + H2O (6)
The reduction of water/oxygen and of peroxide are the likely in-vivo cathodic reactions [13]:
O2 + 2H2O + 4e- → 4OH- (7)
H2O2 + 2H+ + 2e- → 2H2O (8)
Alternative anodic pathways are reported [22]. Older publications state W2O5OH(s) + W2O5(s) →
W2O5-OH-W2O5(s) as the rate determining step [33] but this was superseded by newer data consonant
with reaction (3) followed by rapid the OH- ion-assisted dissolution of WO3H(s) to the WO42-(aq)
species [46]. Works quoted by Gmelin state that the W2O5 referred to in older literature does not exist
and corresponds in fact to W20O58 (or WO2.9) [19] and this is supported by more recent literature. The
above series of equations thus corresponds to the oxidative series of W: W → W3+ → W4+ → W5+ →
W6+.
As a point of interest anodic polarisation of W in acidic media (or reduction from WO3) will present
distinct stages through the formation of all the stable stoichiometric oxides, each with a distinct colour
regime:
W (grey) → WO2 (brown) → W18O49 (violet) → W20O58 (blue) → WO3 (yellow) [3]
Given tungsten’s particular weakness to peroxide dissolution, this chemical reaction pathway will be
mentioned:
W(s) + 2H2O2(aq) → WO2(s) + 2H2O (9)
Two pathways have then been proposed, resulting in various compounds referred to as
peroxotungstates, pertungstates or pertungstic acid [3]:
WO2(s) + 2H2O2(aq) → H2WO4 (10)
H2WO4 + 2H2O2(aq) → H2W3O12 + 4H2O (11)
and;
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2WO2(s) + 6H2O2(aq) → H2W2O11 + 5H2O (12)
3H2W2O11 → 2H2W3O12 + H2O (13)
Pourbaix represents these reaction products as WO52- ions; this is an uncommon usage [20].
2.3. Electrochemistry
The open-circuit (or Ecorr corrosion potential) of W was found to be approximately -100mV at pH 7
with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode [42] and decreases by 43mV per pH increase [18]; as
the pH increases, the corrosion potential shifts to less noble potentials [23, 46]. In these studies the
anions of the buffer solutions (CO32-, HCO3-, PO43-, etc.) were found to influence the electrochemistry.
Kelsey found the anodic Tafel slope at all concentrations of hydroxide to be 0.14V/decade [34].
Readers with deeper interest in the electrochemical behaviour of W electrodes at anodic potentials, at
wider pH ranges, and with results from cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry,
potentiodynamic polarization experiments and analyses of the AC impedance spectra of W-oxide
films should consult the excellent papers by El-Wakkad [42], El-Basiouny [39, 42, 43, 55], Heumann
& Stolica [18, 36], Wiedman [22] and Anik et al. [21, 23, 30, 56, 57], amongst others.
3. Medical Implant Corrosion
Instances of corrosion of W medical implants in the literature are summarised here. Examples are
primarily of embolisation coils and neural microelectrode probes. Implant functionality depends on
the integrity of the bulk metal form; the abiotic failure of medical implants via metallic corrosion
inhibits their chronic use.
3.1. Corrosion of Tungsten Coils
Tungsten coils have been used to perform transcatheter embolisations of pathological blood vessels
due to their high radiopacity (W behaving as a very effective X-ray absorber due to its high density
[3]) as well as its thrombogenicity [58, 59]. The W MDS “Mechanically Detachable System” coils
(Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France) are an example of a once commonly used system [16, 60-62].
Rabbit studies of W coils implanted for 3-6 months for embolisation exhibited corrosion, with black
particles of metal spectroscopically determined to contain W & Fe found in the adventitia of the
aneurysm and outside the lumen, distant from the W coils in phagocytic cells and also in fibroblasts
and spindle cells [63]. The iron is hypothesised by Peuster to be not from coil manufacturing
contamination but agglutinated blood on explantation [62]. A similar rabbit study by Peuster et al.
demonstrated 3.5-fold increase in serum W concentration as early as 15min post-implantation [64].
In 1998, the study by Weill et al. first presented the “disturbing” finding of in-vivo W corrosion in 5
patients with decreasing levels of radiopacity in skull plain x-ray films of MDS embolisation spirals
33-45 months post-implantation for intracranial aneurysm or dural fistula by venous approach. W
blood serum levels in patients were 10-50 times the population baseline, proportional to length of coil
implanted [16]. Additionally elevated blood serum levels in one patient 3 months post-implantation
(4.95µg/L vs baseline <0.1µg/L from pooled population samples [16, 65]) without a demonstrably
noticeable decrease in radiopacity indicates corrosion occurs earlier than is radiographically
detectable.
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Barrett et al. demonstrated similar results for W Mechanically Detachable System coils used for
endovascular embolisation of varicoceles in the scrotum, presenting radiographic evidence of W
resorption in 4/18 patients (Figure 3), and elevated W blood-levels in 18/19 patients (mean 40 months
post-implantation) [66]. Bachthaler et al. reported W coil corrosion for intracerebral aneurysms and
dural fistulae 26 months post-implantation in 9 of 14 patients also by plain radiography, with two
patients displaying complete coil resorption. W blood levels were elevated in 6/14 patients and urine
levels were elevated in all [60]. Others have reported similar radiographic and blood serum results
with the use of W embolisation coils in intracranial aneurysms, abdominal aortic stent grafts,
spermatic vein varioceles, oesophageal and gastric varices and other pathological blood vessels
(Figure 4 & 5) [61, 67-70].
In a metallographic analysis Peuster’s SEM examination of the W coils explanted from the rabbit
subclavian arteries after 4 months demonstrated a clear change from a smooth surface of the control
with uniformly circular cross-section to surface roughening, pitting and crevice corrosion in the
implanted coils [64].
Various causes for this corrosion have been proposed in the literature: Weill et al. blame the metallic
impurity of the MDS coils [16, 63]. This was disproven by studies that spectroscopically verified the
purity of the W pre-implantation (>99.9% by mass) [60-62, 71]. Barrett et al. attribute degradation
due to mechanical effects of percussive systolic-diastolic blood flow on the spirals [66] but this
explanation was nullified when corrosion was observed by radiography in venous fistula drainage
pathways with no percussive flow [16] as well as in cannulae of the spermatic vein [66]. Other cases
have been reported [72].
While it may be possible that mechanical factors such as percussive flows may accelerate corrosion,
as discussed at length previously, the underlying reason for W coil corrosion and eventual failure is
known: i.e. the unfavourable thermodynamics of metal corrosion within the implant environment of
the human body, i.e. the propensity for metallic W to dissolve into tungstate at pH 7.4 and 37⁰C [19,
20]. A mass dissolution rate of 29µg/day was reported for W coils [73] but the proper rate relation to
exposed surface area is not explored. Peuster reports localised acidosis in occluded vessels due to
metabolic processes and lack of oxygen carriers leading to stable passivating oxide layers on the W
coil [74]. However, reports of coil dissolution refute this – evidence of local pH less than 4 (Pourbaix’s
upper limit for stable oxide formation) was not reported.
The general consensus of authors is that the use of W embolisation coils should cease [16, 60, 61, 63,
66-69, 74]. Recanalization as the failure mode of these W embolisation coils occurred in 58.3% of
cases in Kampmann [68] and was reported by others as proportional to degree of corrosion [16] – an
unacceptable risk for patients.
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Figure 3 – Endovascular embolisation of varicoceles in the spermatic vein with W coils. A: Image obtained during
procedure; B: 57 months later, with clear reduction in substance, thickness and overall volume of coil [66].
Figure 4 – W coil embolisation of the right hepatic artery for massive haemorrhage after stomach resection. A: Image
obtained immediately post-procedure; B: 35 months later, with clear decrease in metal density [60].
Figure 5 – Chest radiographs in a 3 month-old girl after surgical correction of multiple ventricular septal defects and
coarctation repair. A: 1 day after coil embolisation of one aorto-pulmonary collateral with three 3.50-mm W coils; B:
After 11 month; and C: After 28 months. All coils are completely corroded after 28 months [68].
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3.2. Corrosion of Tungsten Microwires
Long-term corrosion resistance is a necessary condition for extracting stable signals from chronic
implanted neural electrodes. Additionally, for single neuron recordings, electrodes must be less than
200µm from the soma to record the action potential [75] – at such microscopic scales, even the
slightest corrosion will cause device failure.
W microwires have been used in animals for this purpose for almost 60 years [54, 76-79]. High-purity
wire is readily available, and the metal is stiff and robust enough to be readily fabricated into fine tips
capable of performing single neuron electrophysiological recordings [76]. Commercial W microwires
of 99.95% purity are available at various diameters (~50-125µm). These can be sharpened to tips of
ultramicroscopic dimensions (0.5-0.05µm) by electrolytic etching, with oscillatory dipping into
saturated KNO2 or other etching solution while passing a current [80-83]. Tungsten’s high melting
point and low coefficient of thermal expansion enable it to be easily encapsulated within glass
capillaries [84] while other encapsulants such as polyimide [82, 85, 86] or Parylene-C have also been
used. Exposed tips may be electroplated with gold, platinum or other metals to decrease the electrode
impedance [84, 87].
With the same technology, W has also been used to form recording electrode arrays [85]. These are
termed linear microelectrode arrays (LMA), microelectrode arrays (MEA), microwire arrays (MWA)
or floating microelectrode arrays (FMA). There are many examples of recording sites in commercial
and non-commercial research utilising intracortical microelectrode arrays of W microwires [17, 85-
91]
Unfortunately, in chronic applications, corrosion is again a limiting factor for their success as
implants. Prasad et al. note that while W microwires are able to initially provide stable recordings,
they fail to do so for years, reporting roughening of the surfaces of their 50µm diameter
microelectrodes 2 hours after implantation, recession and cavitation of the surfaces after two weeks
to 16 days, and eventual cracking, pitting, hole-formation and deep recession of the electrodes into
the insulation in months following (Figure 6) [54]. Williams reports W microwire electrodes of 35µm
diameter (unsharpened) having viability of continuous recordings from guinea pig tests of only five
weeks or less [85]. Sanchez et al. reported corrosion of W microwires after 4 weeks of in vivo
implantation [87]. Others report similar degradation of recording surfaces of W microwires [87].
A very thorough analysis of this corrosion phenomenon was performed by Patrick et al. on
commercial 50µm diameter W microwires (California Fine Wire) encased in epoxy (Epotek 302-3M)
[13]. Reported bench-top corrosion rates were 300-700µm/yr for pure W in 0.9% PBS, and 10,000-
20,000µm/yr for Au-plated W (gold deposited circumferentially) in 0.9% PBS + 30mM H2O2 (the
latter to simulate the highly oxidative environment of post-implantation inflammation). Assuming
100% W, ideal cylindrical geometry, full density and ρw = 19.25g/cm3, this corresponds to 0.45-
1.1µg/yr and 15-30µg/yr respectively. No data on pure W in PBS/H2O2 was offered.
Simultaneous in-vivo studies in adult male Sprague–Dawley rats implanted cranially with Au-plated
W reported corrosion rates of 100µm/yr (0.151µg/yr) with the difference hypothesised to be due to
the formation of an oxygen-blocking biofilm [13].
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Figure 6 – Post-explantation SEM images of 16-channel tungsten microwire arrays with 50µm diameter electrodes coated
with 10µm thick polyimide insulation. The images depict the progression of electrode recording site corrosion and
deterioration for increasing implant durations in different rats labelled by “R” (R16: 7 days; R15: 34 days; R7: 64 days;
R22: 122 days; R9: 217 days; R4: 260 days). The arrows (original authors’ addition) indicate examples of polyimide
delamination, and electrode recording site corrosion for individual electrodes [54].
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From purely visual analysis, in the PBS-only samples, the electrode surfaces polished to 1µm
smoothness displayed roughening after 1 day, pitting after 2 days, and full recession from initial
surface after 6 days to a depth of >4µm, similar to the reports by Prasad. In the in-vivo studies, the
W receded within its insulation 24±8µm after 87 days of implantation (Figure 7). No oxide layer was
present in either case, contradicting claims of oxide passivation due to localised acidosis.
Figure 7 – Optical photographs of 50µm nominal diameter W electrode. A: Before immersion in PBS (polished); B: After
23 days of immersion, with evidence of corrosion: surface roughening, pitting, dark oxidic patches [13].
Figure 8 – SEM images of recording tips of 50µm diameter W microelectrodes encased in polyimide implanted for 7
days. L: pre-implant; R: post-implant. Corrosion has occurred, indicated by a darkening, loss of volume, and a change in
surface morphology [92].
3.3. W Alloys in Medical Implants
In cardiovascular medicine, permanently implanted bare-metal stents are used to restore luminal
patency in patients with obstructive coronary lesions. A common stent platform alloy used is L605
cobalt-chromium alloy with 15% W wt% [93]. No corrosion or failure has been reported.
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In prosthodontics, W is used as a component of cobalt-chromium alloys, e.g. Wirobond® C (BEGO
GmbH, Bremen, Germany) is 5% w/w, containing also Co (61%), Cr (26%), Mo (6%) and small
amounts of Fe, Ce & C [94]. No corrosion or failure has been reported.
In orthopaedics, cobalt-based wrought alloy ASTM F90 is used for total joint replacement; its
composition is Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni. W composition is 14-16% (wt%) [95]. It is a popular orthopaedic
alloy [96]. No corrosion or failure has been reported.
4. Thin Film Tungsten
As designers think about smaller implanted devices, they will consider using thin-film methods. At
present we do not know of any medical implants with thin tungsten films. However, aqueous
corrosion studies of tungsten thin films have been performed, and this will be briefly reviewed here.
It is not a safe assumption that metals will exhibit identical behaviour, including corrosion, in thin
film as they do in bulk; differences in grain size and orientation, pinhole formation, pitting, porosity,
and other phenomena exist between the two states [97, 98].
Most discussions in the literature regarding behaviour of W thin films in aqueous solutions are from
the IC industry, and their attempts to remove their oxide layers from tungsten ohmic contacts and
through vias using CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) [28, 29, 46, 99-102]. There is some
relevance for the implant designer.
Kneer used LPCVD to deposit 0.8µm thin films of tungsten via WF6 reduction onto silicon substrates
using a 50nm TiN adhesion layer. X-ray diffraction patterns were identical to that of W powder
standards. In the absence of peroxide the values for icorr in the pH range 2-9 were approximately
1µA/cm2, corresponding to a dissolution rate of 0.01nm/min for tungsten dissolving to the hexavalent
species. Unsurprisingly, peroxide solutions rapidly etched through the film, with complete dissolution
in 10min at 4-5% concentrations. FESEM micrographs depicted clear surface etching [46].
DC potentiodynamic polarization results indicate that in the absence of H2O2 an oxide layer forms
which decreases tungsten dissolution in the pH range from 2 to 11. This oxide layer provides the best
passivation at pH 2, less protection at pH from 4 to 9, and none as the solution conditions become
more alkaline [46]. This concurs with earlier bulk tungsten analysis.
Yin et al. provide data on the dissolution of thin film W oxides in deionized water, reporting
dissolution rates of about 0.2-0.5nm/day. Furthermore in the pH range of 7.4-8 they report an order
of magnitude higher dissolution rates (µm/hr) for physical deposition methods (sputtered) W
compared to chemical (CVD W) in both DI (4±1×10-3 vs 7±2×10-4) and in Hank’s solution (8±2×10-
3 vs 7±2×10-4) [97]. Given a typical W metallisation layer of 200nm thickness, theoretically after
~400 days it would completely dissolve.
Some other issues for the implant designer to consider at thin film scales are electromigration, solid
state diffusion, substrate adhesion and the effects of chronic implantation on solid state material
properties. Tungsten reacts with silicon at 600⁰C (temperatures it reaches during physical vapour
deposition methods) forming silicide compounds which will affect electrical properties - another
consideration.
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5. Toxicity of Tungsten
In light of the previous corrosion analysis and with the knowledge that tungsten implants will
invariably shed tungstates into the body, it is worth examining the data on its toxicity to inform future
implant designers on its further use.
Concern for W toxicity began with epidemiological studies in Dayu County of Jianxi Province, China,
where several W mines are located, which revealed breast cancer mortalities to be 13.8 times higher
in men and 2.5 times higher in women compared to the national average (1985) [103]. Furthermore,
childhood acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) clusters were reported in Fallon, Nevada, US where
CDC studies on toxicology and carcinogenesis showed elevated tungsten levels in drinking water and
in the body burden in residents [104-107]. Further childhood ALL clusters were then reported in
Sierra Vista, AZ and Elk Grove, CA, both of which were also rural desert towns in close proximity
with tungsten mines, processing operations and military bases, with dendrochemistry consistently
reporting significant increases in W compared to older wood [108, 109].
Acute tungsten intoxication was reported in a French soldier who had consumed 250mL of wine
though the barrel of a gun (inadvertently consuming 385mg of W used as a steel hardener). High
concentrations of tungsten were measured in his serum, urine and stomach contents. Symptoms
included seizure, loss of consciousness and tubular necrosis [110]. These reports were questioned by
others who attributed the soldier’s symptoms to 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (also known as hexogen,
cyclonite, or RDX) a military explosive compound and known epileptogenic, given the routine use
of 25–80 g powdered tungsten metal by mouth as a substitute for barium in radiological examinations.
This was rejected in turn [111]. Cell culture studies have been performed since, with the LD50
reported as being 50 mg/ml for human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells, 100 mg/ml for human
pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and 1000 mg/ml for human dermal fibroblasts [73]. Another
study reported markedly elevated tungsten concentrations in a culture medium of 120,000 times
higher than baseline serum levels (0.4µg/l) with in-vitro cultivation using human vascular endothelial
cells, human fibroblasts, and human smooth muscle cells; no toxicity was reported [62]. Previous
tungsten coil degradation studies in humans reported absence of toxicity resulting from corrosion in
adult and paediatric patients despite elevated serum tungsten levels [16, 61, 67, 73, 74].
The role of W in heavy metal disease has also been explored; while W is thought of as a hard metal,
it has been reported that the disease does not relate to the levels of W in blood, urine, pubic hair and
toe nails [112]. Concentrations of tungsten in the blood, toenails, urine and pubic hair, is reported to
be elevated even in asymptomatic workers exposed to tungsten dust as compared to normal subjects
[113]. In similar data on other occupational exposures in plants with W powder metallurgy, workers
chronically exposed to W air concentrations of 5mg/m3 (0.7ppm) developed no pneumoconiosis
[104].
A synergistic toxicity with cobalt was first reported by Lison, with the combination more toxic
towards murine macrophages than Co alone [114]. Similarly studies of military munitions of HMTAs
(heavy metal tungsten alloys) consisting of W, Co, Ni and Fe showed the compounds to be genotoxic,
inducing neoplastic transformation of human osteoblast cells to the tumorigenic phenotype [115].
Other studies on military rWNiCo (reconstituted) also show tumorigenic effects [116]. Kalinich
performed similar studies whereby weapons-grade tungsten alloy (91.1W-6.0Ni-2.9Co) embedded
intramuscularly in F344 rats rapidly induced metastatic high-grade rhabdomyosarcomas [117].
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Kalinich, as did Miller, argues that there exists a synergistic toxicity of W with other hard metals, and
suggests this may have occurred environmentally at Fallon [106]. Others too have reported
cytotoxicity of the W-Co combination [118].
As described earlier, these metal combinations (though in different proportions) are present in stents,
prosthodontic and orthopaedic implants, such as ASTM F90 (Co-20Cr-15W-10Ni) [93-96]. No such
carcinogenicity has been reported for these applications.
Various animal studies are available: the intraperitoneal (i.p.) LD50 value of tungsten metal powder
in rats is reported to be 5g/kg (0.03mol/kg) [104]. Others have reported for sodium tungstate the oral
and i.v. LD50 values were 1928.4 and 61.0mg/kg, respectively, whereas in mice, the LD50 values
were found to be 1904.1 and 107.1mg/kg likewise [119]. These LD50 values indicate that tungsten
has a rather low toxicity. Orally administered tungstate has been reported to correct hyperglycaemia
in insulin and non-insulin dependent models of diabetes in rats and mice. Undesirable side effects
were not observed, and there was no evidence of intolerance after prolonged use [120-125]. In rabbits
a 30-fold increase in W serum concentration 4 months after implantation did not lead to any signs of
clinical or histopathological toxicity [64].
There is small discussion on the effect of speciation on toxicity with variable animal studies
suggesting that sodium metatungstate is significantly more toxic than sodium tungstate [126-128];
given the dominant presence of tungstate as the soluble species, it is of small relevance.
The literature is varied, and clear conclusions are difficult to draw. The interested should refer to
deeper explorations [129-132].
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Conclusion
The use of pure tungsten in chronic medical implants should be avoided. It has several properties that
have made its use attractive and so it has a long history for implants in several medical fields.
However, poor corrosion resistance of the pure metal in aqueous solutions makes it unsuitable for use
in chronic devices. Unlike many other metals, tungsten neither maintains a noble metallic surface,
nor does it form a protective passivation layer of tungsten oxide. At the body’s pH of 7.4, the solid
WO3 layer will hydrate, and dissolve away into the soluble hexavalent anion, W6+ or WO42-. This
conclusion does not refer to its use within implantable alloys.
Corrosion has been reported in-vitro in distilled water, in PBS, in peroxide-rich PBS, and in-vivo with
embolisation coils and micro-needle neural probes. The associated emission of tungstate ions has
been observed, and elevated blood serum levels have been measured in various animal studies, and
in various human patients. Its toxicity too is currently under investigation, with some reports of acute
poisoning, and also of long term genotoxicity; yet as these investigations continue it remains the case
that its poor corrosion behaviour leading to implant failure is the primary reason for avoiding its use.
Given the wide range of materials available to medical implant designers, the authors recommend
alternative materials.
Acknowledgement
This work has been funded by the Wellcome Trust (contract ref: 102037/Z/13/Z) and EPSRC (grant
ref: NS/A000026/1) as part of the CANDO Innovative Engineering for Health project.
Declaration of Interest
The authors confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and
there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome.
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Appendix
Medical Device Recalls
An exploratory search for “TUNGSTEN” in the US FDA “Medical Device Recalls” database was
hoped to reveal other implant failures. Three cases were found:
1. A Class I recall in 2011 (Z-1865-2011) [133] of Axxent FlexiShield Mini, a radiotherapy
beam-blocker device made of a circular silicone rubber pad containing tungsten particulate.
The pad is 12.7 cm in diameter and 0.1 cm (1 mm) thick. Recall reason: “[The] product may
shed particles identified as tungsten.”
2. A Class II recall in 2015 (Z-0120-2016) [134] of Medtronic Pipeline Flex Embolisation
Device. Made of 75% cobalt-chromium/25% platinum-tungsten. Recall reason: “The firm is
recalling Pipeline and Pipeline Flex Embolisation Devices from U.S. since the devices were
shipped with an EU version of the Instructions for Use.”
3. A Class II recall in 2010 (Z-1760-2010) [135] of Boston Scientific Back-Up Meier Steerable
Guidewires, made of a stainless-steel, PTFE-coated proximal shaft, and a distal tip of radio-
opaque gold-plated tungsten spring coil wound around a stainless-steel inner core. Recall
reason: “Through their internal inspection process, they identified that the
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating on the gold plated distal coil of the Back-up Meier
Steerable Guidewires of the identified lots/batches have the potential for PTFE delamination.”
Similarly, a search for “TUNGSTEN” in the Australian TGA “System for Australian Recall Actions”
database reveals one case:
1. A Class II recall in 2015 (RC-2015-RN-00263-1) [136] or AngioDynamics Morpheus Smart
PICC CT (central venous catheters); tungsten content unclear. Recall reason: “Based on a
review of complaints, AngioDynamics has determined that the power injectable PICC
catheters contained in these kits exhibit a higher than anticipated rate of extension tube
fracture or leakage.”
Similar searches in the UK MHRA “Alerts and Recalls for Drugs and Medical Devices” database
[137] & EU EMA “Product defects and recalls” database revealed no similar results.
None were corrosive in nature.
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