The development of biomaterials is not a new area of science, having existed for around half a century. The study of biomaterials is called biomaterial science. It is an exciting field of science, having experienced steady and strong growth over its history with companies such as Smith and Nephew investing large amounts of money in new products. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chemistry and materials science.
Definition of a biomaterial
While a definition for biomaterials has been difficult to formulate, a widely accepted definition for biomaterials is that:
"A biomaterial is any material, natural or man-made, that comprises whole or part of a living structure or biomedical device which performs, auguments, or replaces a natural function".
" A Biomaterial is a nonviable material used in medical device, intended to interact with a biological systems (William 1987)"
A biomaterial is essentially a material that is used and adapted for a medical application. Biomaterials can have a benign function, such as being used for a heart valve, or may be bioactive and used for a more interactive purpose such as hydroxy-apatite coated hip implants (the Furlong Hip, by Joint Replacement Instrumentation Ltd, Sheffield is one such example – such implants are lasting upwards of twenty years). Biomaterials are also used every day in dental applications, surgery, and drug delivery (a construct with impregnated pharmaceutical products can be placed into the body, which permits the prolonged release of a drug over an extended period of time).
The definition of a biomaterial does not just include man-made materials which are constructed of metals or ceramics. A biomaterial may also be an autograft, allograft or xenograft used as a transplant material.
Biomaterial Applications
Biomaterials are used in:
* Joint replacements
* Bone plates
* Bone cement
* Artificial ligaments and tendons
* Dental implants for tooth fixation
* Blood vessel prostheses
* Heart valves
* Skin repair devices
* Cochlear replacements
* Contact lenses
Biomaterials must be compatible with the body, and there are often issues of biocompatibility which must be resolved before a product can be placed on the market and used in a clinical setting. Because of this, biomaterials are usually subjected to the same requirements of those suffered by new drug therapies. All manufacturing companies are also required to ensure traceability of all of their products so that if a defective product is discovered, others in the same batch may be traced.
Definition of a biomaterial
While a definition for biomaterials has been difficult to formulate, a widely accepted definition for biomaterials is that:
"A biomaterial is any material, natural or man-made, that comprises whole or part of a living structure or biomedical device which performs, auguments, or replaces a natural function".
" A Biomaterial is a nonviable material used in medical device, intended to interact with a biological systems (William 1987)"
A biomaterial is essentially a material that is used and adapted for a medical application. Biomaterials can have a benign function, such as being used for a heart valve, or may be bioactive and used for a more interactive purpose such as hydroxy-apatite coated hip implants (the Furlong Hip, by Joint Replacement Instrumentation Ltd, Sheffield is one such example – such implants are lasting upwards of twenty years). Biomaterials are also used every day in dental applications, surgery, and drug delivery (a construct with impregnated pharmaceutical products can be placed into the body, which permits the prolonged release of a drug over an extended period of time).
The definition of a biomaterial does not just include man-made materials which are constructed of metals or ceramics. A biomaterial may also be an autograft, allograft or xenograft used as a transplant material.
Biomaterial Applications
Biomaterials are used in:
* Joint replacements
* Bone plates
* Bone cement
* Artificial ligaments and tendons
* Dental implants for tooth fixation
* Blood vessel prostheses
* Heart valves
* Skin repair devices
* Cochlear replacements
* Contact lenses
Biomaterials must be compatible with the body, and there are often issues of biocompatibility which must be resolved before a product can be placed on the market and used in a clinical setting. Because of this, biomaterials are usually subjected to the same requirements of those suffered by new drug therapies. All manufacturing companies are also required to ensure traceability of all of their products so that if a defective product is discovered, others in the same batch may be traced.
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