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                             Biomaterials, Synthetic Synthesis,



                                      Fabrication, and Applications







              Carole C. Perry
              The Nottingham Trent University



               I. Introduction to Medical Biomaterials
              II. Aspects of the Structural Chemistry of Natural
                 Materials Used in the Human Body
              III. General Repair Mechanisms
                 and Biocompatibility
              IV. Materials of Construction
              V. The Way Forward, Tissue Engineering







              GLOSSARY                                            shiny surface, and will conduct heat and electricity
                                                                  well.
              Biomaterials A substance that is used in prostheses or  Polymers Large molecules formed by the union of at least
                in medical devices designed for contact with the living  five identical monomers.
                body for an intended application and for a planned time  Tissue engineering The study of cellular responses to
                period.                                           materials implants, manipulation of the healing envi-
              Biocompatibility The capability of being harmonious  ronment to control the structure of regenerated tissue,
                with biological life without causing toxic or injurious  the production of cells and tissues for transplantation
                effect.                                           into the body, and the development of a quantitative
              Ceramics Stiff, brittle materials that are generally pre-  understanding of biological energetics.
                pared by high temperature methods; the resulting ma-
                terials are insoluble in water.
              Composites Materials composed of a mixture or com-  I. INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL
                bination of two or more microconstituents or macro-  BIOMATERIALS
                constituents that differ in form and chemical com-
                position and that are essentially insoluble in each  The normal description of a biomaterial is “a substance
                other.                                          that is used in prostheses or in medical devices designed
              Metals Any of a class of elements that generally are solid  for contact with the living body for an intended applica-
                at ordinary temperature, have a grayish color and a  tion and for a planned time period.” The development of



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