Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Composite biomaterials for bone repair
R. De SantiS, V. GuaRino and L. a m b R o S i o,
imCb-CnR institute of Composite and biomedical
materials, italy
Abstract
:
Surgical strategies used for bone repair are based on two different
approaches: restoring bone through synthetic permanent biomaterials or
through degradable biomaterials. in this chapter, the mechanical behaviour
of permanent and biodegradable composites for bone repair are investigated.
Preliminarily, a definition of composite material and the state of the art of
surgical approaches are illustrated. the second section deals with composite
materials used for bone repair up until the present time by distinguishing
between non-degradable and biodegradable materials. Finally, the last section
is divided into two sub-sections dealing in fibre-reinforced and inorganic
particle filled degradable composites.
Key words
:
bioactive particles, biodegradable composite, bone repair, fibre
reinforcement, filament winding.
9.1 Introduction
advanced structural design for connective tissues restoration demands materials
with complex and unusual combinations of mechanical properties. tailored
stiffness, high strength and toughness, resistance to impact, abrasion and
corrosion, represent a combination of properties required by biomechanical
design of synthetic prostheses. adequate transparency to electromagnetic
waves for diagnostic purposes, lightness of large prostheses and artificial
limbs and long life resistance, are other relevant properties of non-degradable
biomedical devices. the complexity of combining properties increases as
the design deals with materials for tissue regeneration, such as scaffolds for
tissue engineering. these materials require multifunctional properties in order
to provide a suitable substrate for cell attachment, migration, proliferation
and differentiation. moreover, programmed biomechanical properties need
to be satisfied, since the load-bearing function has to be transferred from
the engineered material to the growing extracellular matrix. With this aim
in mind, degradable and partially degradable materials are considered. as
materials science and technology stands today, the only possible way of
satisfying the compelling multifunctional needs and extend material property
combinations relies on the development of composite materials.
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