An Introduction to Biomaterials

A practical road map to the key families of biomaterials and their potential applications in clinical therapeutics, Introduction to Biomaterials, Second Edition follows the entire path of development from theory to lab to practical application. It highlights new biocompatibility issues, metrics, and statistics as well as new legislation for intellectual property.

Divided into four sections (Biology, Biomechanics, Biomaterials Interactions; Biomaterials Testing, Statistics, Regulatory Considerations, Intellectual Property; Biomaterials Compositions; and Biomaterials Applications), this dramatically revised edition includes both new and revised chapters on cells, tissues, and signalling molecules in wound healing cascades, as well as two revised chapters on standardised materials testing with in vitro and in vivo paradigms consistent with regulatory guidelines.

Emphasising biocompatibility at the biomaterial-host interface, it investigates cell-cell interactions, cell-signalling and the inflammatory and complement cascades, specific interactions of protein-adsorbed materials, and other inherent biological constraints including solid-liquid interfaces, diffusion, and protein types. Unique in its inclusion of the practicalities of biomaterials as an industry, the book also covers the basic principles of statistics, new U.S. FDA information on the biomaterials-biology issues relevant to patent applications, and considerations of intellectual property and patent disclosure.

With nine completely new chapters and 24 chapters extensively updated and revised with new accomplishments and contemporary data, this comprehensive introduction discusses 13 important classes of biomaterials, their fundamental and applied research, practical applications, performance properties, synthesis and testing, potential future applications, and commonly matched clinical applications.

The authors include extensive references, creating a comprehensive yet manageable didactic work that serves as an invaluable desk reference and instructional text for undergraduates and working professionals alike.