Biomedical Engineering Theory And Practice/Biomaterials/Introduction to biomaterials

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. Such materials are used as molded or machined parts, coatings, fibers, films, foams,fabrics, liquid and powder.

What kind of properties is important in Biomaterials?

 * Toxicology
 * Biocompatibility
 * Healing
 * Mechanical requirements
 * Industrial involvement
 * ethics
 * regulations

Biomaterials societies

 * American Society for Artificial Internal Organs (ASAIO)
 * Society For Biomaterials USA
 * The European Society for Biomaterials
 * The Canadian Society For Biomaterials
 * The Japanese Society of Biomaterials
 * The Korean Society of Biomaterials
 * The Controlled Release Society