FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOMATERIALS AND BIOCOMPATIBILITY - Advanced Biomaterials: Fundamentals, Processing, and Applications - page 16

and bone substitution are highlighted along with the existing commercial use of
BCP blocks/particulates/designed matrices with bone marrow or mesenchymal
stem cells for tissue engineering (hybrid bone). Overall musculoskeletal joint
motion depends largely on the synchronized interactions and integration between
bone and soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons or cartilage. Therefore an impor-
tant consideration in the current functional tissue engineering effort is how to
achieve tissue-to-tissue integration and as a consequence, the focus in the fi eld of
tissue engineering has shifted from tissue formation to tissue function, in particu-
lar on regenerating the anatomic interface between various soft tissues and bone.
In the context of interfacial tissue engineering, the chapter by Helen H. Lu
discusses the following aspects: design considerations in interface tissue engineer-
ing and recent research results using the anterior cruciate ligament-to-bone
interface model system. It is posited that functional integration of soft tissue
grafts can be achieved through the regeneration of the characteristic fi brocarti-
lage interface found between soft tissue and bone. Some model scaffold systems
based on biodegradable polymers and calcium phosphate composites for tendon-
to-bone integration have been discussed, along with a discussion of the potential
mechanism for ex vivo development and in vivo translation of integrated muscu-
loskeletal tissues with biomimetic complexity and functionality.
The chapter by Yoshiki Oshida presents how better osseointegration prop-
erty in Titanium-based new dental implants can be achieved by introducing func-
tionality. The aspects of biological, mechanical and morphological compatibilities
at the ti-implant/hard tissue interface have been utilized and described along with
the related processing strategies. Since the last decade, nanotechnology offers
exciting alternatives to traditional implants since human tissues are composed
of constituent nanostructured entities. The cross-fertilisation of ideas drawn
from nanotechnology and bone-tissue engineering offers the opportunity to
closely biomimi the cortical bone properties, in terms of the combination of the
structure - property - biological performance correlationship.
In this context, the chapter contributed by T. J. Webster focuses on the con-
temporary development of nanomaterials for orthopedic applications. After
briefl y reviewing the existing problems with the existing orthopedic implants (os-
teolysis, fractures etc.), the results obtained with synthesized novel nanophase
composites (that is, materials with dimensions less than 100 nm in at least one di-
rection) of metals, ceramics, biodegradable polymers, injectable hydrogels are
presented. It is demonstrated that the increased regeneration of bone, cartilage,
vascular, and bladder tissue in vivo is achievable on nanophase compared to con-
ventional materials.
REFERENCES
1. B. D. Ratner , A. S. Hoffman , F. J. Schoen and J. E. Lemons , Biomaterials Science - An
Introduction to Materials in Medicine, 2 nd edition , pp. 526 , Academic Press , New York ,
2004 .