Biomaterials - Introduction to Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering Reference

In-Depth Information

5. Explain what is meant by biomimetic design. Considering that a biomaterial construct, when

combined with cells for therapy, is in intimate contact with the cells and can be considered an

extracellular matrix, explain the importance of biomimetic material design.

6. What are the stages of a typical tissue-biomaterial interaction? Include the cell types that are

predominant during each stage in your answer.

7. Name three biomimetic surface modifications for biomaterials and their primary purpose.

Briefly explain the mechanism by which they can be classified as biomimetic.

8. The two major testing approaches to determine the biocompatibility of a biomaterial are

in vitro testing, with or without cells, and in vivo testing in a living organism. What are the

difficulties in graduating from the first type to the second?

9. Most metallic biomaterial alloys have an oxide film that spontaneously forms on the alloy

surface and renders the material corrosion resistant. With this understanding, explain how

and why mechanical wear processes (e.g., fretting) can increase the amount of corrosion

present.

10. Describe which type of biomaterial you would select for the construction of the following

implantable devices. Explain which properties will be important and why. More than one

material can be used in the same device.

a. Skin substitute

b. Guidance tube for nerve regeneration

c. Hip replacement stem

d. Dental braces

e. Urinary catheter

f. Tissue-engineered bone

11. When selecting a biomaterial to be used as an orthopedic implant, what are some of the

properties or characteristics of the material that should be considered?

12. You have recently designed a new implantable biomaterial and have conducted an in vivo

implantation study. Subsequent extraction of the sample reveals a thin, fibrous capsule

surrounding your material. What does this experiment reveal regarding the biocompatibility

of this device, specifically regarding the inflammation response?

13. What are some of the benefits of implanting a biomaterial that delivers drugs rather than

giving the patients intravenous injections of the drugs?

14. What are some of the applications for which localized delivery of a biologically active

molecule from an implanted medical device is advantageous?

15. Describe two methods for making a biomaterial porous.

16.

Is the growth of a fibrous tissue layer around an implanted material a positive aspect in all

applications? Why or why not? In what applications is a fibrous tissue layer not desired?