Overview on Biocompatibilities of Implantable Biomaterials - Advances in Biomaterials Science and Biomedical Applications - page 111

been well defined. Generally, host reactions following implantation of biomaterials include
follow implantation of any prosthesis or device are a series of complex events that have not
sponse that reflects the first steps of tissue repair. The host/biomaterial interactions which
have been applied in vivo . All biomaterials when implanted into a body initiate a host re‐
compounds or derivatives. There are more than one hundred different biomaterials which
um, steel, titanium, inorganic salts, such as calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, and their
an, heparin, cellulose, and synthetic polyurethane (PU), polyester, metal, such as alumini‐
autografts, allografts, organic polymers, such as natural collagen, fibrin, chitosan, hyaluron‐
terial grafts. According to the resources and properties biomaterials can be assorted into
chanical and biological functions in a body), left ventricular assist devices and prosthetic ar‐
like biosensors, catheters, pacemakers, blood vessels, artificial heart (that provide both me‐
dressings, decellular matrices, bone plates, joint replacements to more complex materials
ular lenses (which restore sight to millions of cataract patients every year), sutures, wound
The implant/medical device scope of biomaterials ranges from simple implants like intraoc‐
“Biomaterials” has boomed from 2.489 to 7.404 from the year 2001 to 2012.
plant/medical devices implanted annually. As a result, the impact factor of the journal of
more attention during the last decade. Only in the United States, more than 13 million im‐
and life-improving option for countless patients, biomaterials have been paid more and
and/or restore the function of traumatized or degenerated tissues or organs. As a life-saving
ence with various forms of implants/medical devices, and have been widely used to replace
of life of the patients [1]. Over the past fifty years biomaterials has been developed as a sci‐
cal device which performs, augments, or replaces a natural function to improve the quality
A biomaterial is any material that comprises whole or part of a living structure or biomedi‐
1. Introduction
Additional information is available at the end of the chapter
Xiaohong Wang
of Implantable Biomaterials
Overview on Biocompatibilities
Chapter 5