Biomaterials

Definition

A biomaterial is a nonviable material used in a medical device, intended to interact with biological systems. Defined by their application NOT chemical make-up.

History

More than 2000 years ago, Romans, Chinese, and Aztecs used gold in dentistry. Turn of century, synthetic implants become available. 1937 Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) introduced in dentistry. 1958, Rob suggests Dacron Fabrics can be used to fabricate an arterial prosthetic.

History (Continued)

1960 Charnley uses PMMA, ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylend, and stainless steal for total hip replacement. Late 1960 early 1970s biomaterial field solidified. 1975 Society for Biomaterials formed.

Drug Delivery Devices

Skin/cartilage

Polymers
Orthopedic screws/fixation

Ocular implants Bone replacements Heart valves

Metals

Synthetic BIOMATERIALS

Ceramics

Dental Implants

Dental Implants

Implantable Microelectrodes

Semiconductor Materials

Biosensors

Biomaterial Science

Characteristics of Biomaterials

Physical Requirements

Hard Materials. Flexible Material.

Chemical Requirements

Must not react with any tissue in the body. Must be non-toxic to the body. Long-term replacement must not be biodegradable.

Properties

1- Physical Properties

(i) Mechanical Properties of Biomaterial

Traditional Engineering Materials

they are homogeneous, exhibit small deformations and are linearly elastic.

Biological Soft Tissue Materials

These materials are, in general, non- homogeneous due to the orientation of their collagen and elastin fibers

Properties
(ii) Thermal Properties Thermal Conductivity is the rate of heat flow per unit temperature gradient.

Properties

2- Chemical Properties

Solubility and Erosion

The solubility of a material is a measurement of the extent to which it will dissolve in a given fluid, for example, water or saliva. Erosion is a process which combines the chemical process of dissolution with a mild mechanical action.

Leaching of Constituents

Many materials, when placed in an aqueous environment, absorb water by a diffusion process. Constituents of the material may be lost into fluids by a diffusion process commonly referred to as leaching

Corrosion

It is a term which specifically characterizes the chemical reactivity of metals and alloys

The tendency of a metal to corrode can be predicted from its electrode potential. It can be seen from the figure below, that materials with large negative electrode potential values are more reactive while those with large positive values are far less reactive and are often referred to as noble metals.

Examples of Biomaterial Applications

Heart Valve Artificial Tissue Dental Implants

Intraocular Lenses
Vascular Grafts Hip Replacements

Bileaflet Heart Valves

Artificial Tissue

Biodegradable Polymer Result of Condensation of Lactic Acid and Glycolyic Acid

Dental Implants

Intraocular Lenses

Implantation often performed on outpatient basis.

Vascular Grafts

Must Be Flexible.

Designed With Open Porous Structure.

Often Recognized By Body As Foreign.

Hip-Replacements

Knit Grafts

Normal versus Arthritic Hip

Normal Hip: note the space between the femur and acetabulum, due to cartilage

Arthritic Hip: No space visible in joint, as cartilage is missing

Host Reactions to Biomaterials

Thrombosis Hemolysis Inflammation Infection and Sterilization Carcinogenesis

Hypersensitivity
Systemic Effects