Biomedical Engineering Theory And Practice/Biomaterials

Introduction
The United States National Institute of Health Consensus Development Conference defined a biomaterial as ‘‘Any substance (other than a drug) or combination of substances, synthetic or natural in origin, which can be used for any period of time, as a whole or as a part of a system which treats, augments, or replaces any tissue, organ, or function of the body’’ (Boretos and Eden, 1984). Biomaterials area has grown over for 50 years. Biomaterils as a field uses ideas from medicine, biology, chemistry, materials science and engineering. In addition, biomaterials researchers should consider ethics,law and the health care delivery system.

Biomaterials can be divided into metals, ceramics, polymers, glasses, carbons, and composite materials. Table 1 shows a few applications for synthetic materials in the body. It contains many materials that are often classified as “biomaterials.” Metals, ceramics, polymers, glasses, carbons, and composite materials are listed in this table. Such materials are used as molded or machined parts, coatings, fibers, films, foams,fabrics, liquid and powder. Table 2 presents the size of the commercial market for biomaterials and medical devices.The global biomaterial market would reach $88.4 billion by 2017 from $44.0 billion in 2012. The biomaterial market grows continually and globally because of increased investiments, funding and grant by government, active collaboration, technology advancement, increasing application of biomaterials and growing number of elderly people.

'''Table 1. Types of Biomaterials, characteristics and applications    ''' '''Table 2. Biomaterials and Healthcare market'''

Reference
A Brief review: Biomaterials and their application, Amogh Tathe et al,Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 2, Suppl 4, 19­23

Biomaterials by Joon B. Park, Roderic S. Lakes