Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
this long period of time progressed in their knowledge and practice of
material properties to find the right material for the right (specific)
application, the notion of biocompatibility and control of the host
response did not exist.
A large part of the terminology used in the biomaterials domain is
not currently used in the everyday life and will be defined, detailed
and/or explained. Different existing definitions will be proposed to
understand the significance or to differentiate the words such as
biomaterial, medical device, implant, prosthesis, tissue engineering and
regenerative medicine. In addition, the notion of biocompatibility will
be briefly introduced; one chapter will be devoted to biocompatibility
through its different aspects: medical, legal and research.
2.2. Definitions of a “biomaterial”
What exactly does “biomaterial” mean? There are several senses
which depend on who uses it: researcher in the domain, faculty,
student, industrialist, medical professional, non-scientific or non-
specialist population. Unfortunately, the meaning given to the word
“biomaterial” may often be erroneous.
Since a word must have a meaning, the definitions are few: the
definition found in the dictionary, the aim of which is to give a clear
and correct idea of the sense of this word to non-specialist people.
Based on the short life of biomaterials science, this word appeared
only very recently in the dictionary, the definition given by the
founding scientists of the science of biomaterials which is the most
precise one, along with the advances and progresses in this new
science, the definition has changed a little. Therefore several
complementary definitions could be essential for understanding this
recent and continuously evolving field.
2.2.1.
Dictionary definitions
1) Larousse dictionary
Biomaterial: “substance or material intended to be implanted in a
living body to replace an organ or a tissue. Prostheses, of the simplest
