Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
(dental) in the most complicated (heart valve), are made with
biomaterials”.
2) Collins dictionary
Biomaterial: “any synthetic material used in prostheses or the
replacement of natural body tissues”.
2.2.2.
Definitions of biomaterials from expert scientists of the
domain
It is difficult to precisely date the first use of the word
“biomaterial”. It is probably during in the early 1970s following
scientific meetings such as the Clemson University Biomaterials
Symposia in the United States and the Conference of Chester in
Europe. These conferences respectively led to the creation of the
Society for Biomaterials (SFB) in 1975 and the European Society for
Biomaterials (ESB) in 1976. These societies are members of the
International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Sciences and
Engineering (IUS-BSE) created in 1979 and showing that biomaterials
science rapidly acquired a worldwide interest.
1) 1st definitions
Europe - The consensus after the conference of Chester led to the
definition given by the Pr D. Williams. He defined a biomaterial as the
following: “a nonviable material used in a medical device, intended to
interact with biological systems”.
United States - The Clemson University Advisory Board for
Biomaterials has defined a biomaterial to be: “a systematically and
pharmacologically inert substance designed for implantation within or
incorporation with living systems”.
2) Intermediate definition: “Any material, natural or not, including
all or part of a living structure or a biomedical device which executes
or replaces a bodily function.”
These definitions of a biomaterial did not include only the artificial
or synthetic biomaterials as metals, ceramics and polymers. A
