Biomaterials

Biomaterials

Biomaterials (pronunciation: /ˌbaɪoʊməˈtɪəriəlz/) are any substance that has been engineered to interact with biological systems for a medical purpose - either a therapeutic (treat, augment, repair or replace a tissue function of the body) or a diagnostic one.

Etymology

The term "Biomaterials" is derived from the Greek words 'bios' meaning life and 'materia' meaning matter, substance, or material.

Types of Biomaterials

Biomaterials can be derived either from nature or synthesized in the laboratory using a variety of chemical approaches utilizing metallic components, polymers, ceramics or composite materials. They are often used and/or adapted for a medical application, and thus comprises whole or part of a living structure or biomedical device which performs, augments, or replaces a natural function.

• Metallic Biomaterials
• Polymeric Biomaterials
• Ceramic Biomaterials
• Composite Biomaterials

Applications

Biomaterials are used every day in dental applications, surgery, and drug delivery. For example, 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. A biomaterial may also be an autograft, allograft or xenograft used as a transplant material.

• Dental Applications
• Surgery
• Drug Delivery
• Transplant Material

Related Terms

• Biocompatibility
• Biodegradable
• Bioactive Materials
• Tissue Engineering

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Biomaterials
• Wikipedia's article - Biomaterials

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