Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
not, location of the implantation - the requirements can range from
low and acceptable to very drastic (as soon as blood circulation and
contact are involved) because the consequences may be low or
significantly dramatic.
To help researchers, surgeons, industrial partners, medical personnel
and patients respond to this question and understand the concept of
biocompatibility, those who defined biomaterials also worked on the
concept of biocompatibility since a biomaterial does not present any
interest if it is not associated with its degree of biocompatibility.
4.2.2.
History of the definitions
Biocompatibility should be considered as a set of properties that
are necessary and required if one material is destined to be used as a
biomaterial. There is a constant improvement in the definitions of
biocompatibility: the earliest definitions described no desired effects
of the biomaterial with the living system, which was basically not true
of the real property of biocompatibility.
For many years, biocompatibility was defined by default as the list
of the effects which must not be engendered by the presence of a
biomaterial or ignored. It is often associated with:
- the release or leakage of products or by-products of degradation
or corrosion, or additives, or contaminants;
- the biological activity and the further consequences of these
releases locally or not.
Then, materials to elaborate biomaterials were selected or
developed on the basis of their non-toxicity, non-thrombogenicity,
non-carcinogenicity, non-irritability, etc.
The question that arises is: “Does only one definition of
biocompatibility exist?” Several parameters introduced the
re-evaluation of the definition of biocompatibility:
- it appeared obvious that the biological response to specific
materials can vary from one application to another and from one
