Biomaterials: history & an overview

Medtronic St. Jude Med.

Medtronic

Definition of biomaterials: A biomaterial is a systemically, pharmacologically inert substance designed for implantation within or incorporation with a living system. (6th Annual International Biomaterials Symposium, 1974)

A material intended to interface with biological systems to evaluate, treat, augment or replace any tissue, organ or function of the body.

Williams, D.F. The Williams Dictionary of Biomaterials, 1999

Kolff Dialysis in The Netherlands, circa 1940s Cellophane (reconstituted cellulose)

Today:

Nov. 29, 1949, Sir Harold Ridley, the first intraocular lens implantation

Total artificial hip replacement

Vascular grafts

Stents

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Biomaterials in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Tremendous Challenges

P. N. Danese, Chem. Biol. 2002, 9, 873-880.

Silicon implantable electrode

Turner et al., 1999

Types of biomaterials:

Polymers (synthetic, natural), metal, ceramics, composites

Synthesis +processing

Structure

Performance/Application

Properties

Synthesis-Structure-Property relationships

Biocompatibility

Williams, D.F. The Williams Dictionary of Biomaterials, 1999

The ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application.