Measurement of platinum in biomedical silicones by ICP-MS

Abstract

A method is described for processing organosilicone oils and gels for introduction by nebulization into an ICP-MS. A silicone oil sample was free of detectable contaimination with trace elements. Platinum, added as a catalyst during manufacture, was found to be present at aproximately 4.5 µg g^–1 in a silicone breast implant. No other trace elements were present in significant quantities in the implant. Quantitative recovery of Pt from silicone gel was achieved by dispersion in aqua regia, extraction of the organosilicone with diethyl ether, and back-extraction with acid.