Biomaterials

A biomaterial is defined as a substance that has been engineered to take a form which, alone or as part of a complex system, is used to direct, by control of interactions with components of living systems, the course of any therapeutic or diagnostics procedures. They are used in close contact with biological systems, tissues and fluids and to serve a medical purpose, such as replacing a damaged organ or treating a disease. They play an integral role in medicine â" restoring function and facilitating healing for people after injury or disease. Biomaterials may be natural or synthetic and are used in medical applications to support, enhance or replace damaged tissue or biological function. The first historical use of biomaterials dates to antiquity, when ancient Egyptians used sutures made from animal sinew. The modern field of biomaterials combine medicine, biology, physics, and chemistry and more recent influences from tissue engineering and materials science. The field has grown significantly over the past decade, largely due to discoveries in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine and more, and in this book a new generation of biomaterials; particles, capsules, microbubbles and fibres are elucidated.

Key Features:
* Provides and overview and road map to the description, biofabrication and utilization of selected novel biomaterials for extensive usage within critical clinical applications pertinent to world-wide healthcare.

• Illustrates the interface of physical/life science, engineering and, medicine and allied disciplines in the development of novel biomaterials for world healthcare.

• Introduces and incorporates modern manufacturing methods of this new generation of biomaterials; particles, capsules, microbubbles and fibres.
• Provides detailed applications of these biomaterials to specific healthcare needs.
• Extensive references will be included at the end of each chapter to enhance further study.