Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
layer, integration of various macromolecules (hydrophobic and hydrophilic) and
variation of hydrophillicty balance by incorporating polyethylene glycol on the
stability of monolayer deposition have been described. Thereafter various blood
biocompatibility studies done on stable monolayers have been discussed.
Benefi ts of properly purifi ed placental umbilical cord blood as an ideal
and the true blood substitutes have been discussed in the chapter by Niranjan
Bhattacharya. The author further supports this with the fact that placental cord is
a rich mixture of fetal and adult hemoglobin, high platelet and WBC counts, and
a plasma fi lled with cytokine and growth factors, as well as its hypo-antigenic
nature and altered metabolic profi le. All these potentialities make this blood a
real and safe alternative to adult blood, especially in emergencies caused by any
etiology of blood loss. Further, it may also be used to prevent ischemia and even-
tual hypoxic-triggered organ failure syndromes. The chapter also discusses some
of the clinical experiences and safety studies of cord blood transfusion.
The coating of titanium nitride (TiN) and diamond like carbon (DLC) the
two ceramic coating are discussed by Muraleedharan et al. for cardiovascular
applications. Both DLC and TiN exhibit similar properties such as hardness, low
frictional coeffi cient, high wear and corrosion resistance, chemical inertness, and
very good processability. The substrate material can be chosen to provide the
required strength for structural integrity, while coatings can be employed to
enhance the blood compatibility. TiN and DLC coating exhibit very good tissue
and blood compatibility and is well tolerated in biological environments. The
chapter has given insight at the processing, characterization and applications of
TiN and DLC coatings with a focus on cardiovascular applications.
The area of bone tissue engineering using cell-based nanocomposites and
biomolecules are thoroughly discussed by S. Ramakrishna and cowokers. The
authors have concluded that tissue-engineered constructs loaded with factors for
cell proliferation and differentiation can revolutionize the clinical management
of bone-related diseases and orthopedic applications. The functional nanofi brous
composites made up of nano-hydroxyapatite and collagen meet the required
property for a favorable cellular response. The mineralization is also more evident
in nanofi brous scaffolds than in solid-walled scaffolds for bone constructs. The
mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow and the choice of growth factors
and biomolecules to be incorporated are typically favored in bone repair. Such
tissue-engineered nanomaterials will be the new-generation bone grafts, judging
from the nascent state of regenerative medicine, fulfi lling the desired character-
istics of an ideal bone graft in terms of osteconductivity, osteoinductivity, and
osteogenecity.
The chapter by Lu et al. focuses on recently-emerged interface tissue engi-
neering for achieving biological fi xation of tissue-engineered grafts, in particular
with its emphasis on regenerating the anatomic interface between soft tissues
(such as ligaments, tendons, and cartilage) and bone. The area discussed can
enable the development of integrated musculoskeletal tissue systems for total
joint replacement. The anterior cruciate ligament-to-bone interface as a model
system is reviewed as efforts in orthopedic interface tissue engineering.
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