1.1 This practice provides a short-term testing method to screen the subcutaneous tissue reaction to metallic or other implant candidate materials in small laboratory animals. The material may be dense or porous. The tissue reactions will be evaluated in comparison to those evoked by control materials that are accepted as clinical implant materials.

1.2 This practice, along with other appropriate biological tests (including other ASTM test methods) may be used to assess the biocompatibility of candidate materials for use in the fabrication of devices for clinical application. It may be also applied to evaluate the effect of special surface textures and preparations of known materials.

1.3 This experimental protocol is not designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the systemic toxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, or mutagenicity of the material.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.