Biomaterials and its medical applications

Abstract

The human body undergoes wear and tear with age, and it is subjected to various diseases and disorders throughout the lifespan. Sometimes, administration of medical agents does not suffice for complete recovery from the ailments. External agents or materials are required to support the normal functioning of the body. The materials that are engineered to interact with biological systems for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of diseases and ailments are known as biomaterials. Any resource to be engineered and used as a biomaterial must possess the qualities of biocompatibility, inertness, mechanical stability, and ease of fabrication. The site and application of the biomaterial may demand specific properties. Biomaterials for dental and orthopedic applications should possess substantial mechanical strength and prolonged rates of biodegradation, while those for visceral organ and dermal applications must be flexible with faster rates of degradation. Biomaterials may be of natural or synthetic origin. The chapter discusses various applications of biomaterials in the medical and pharmaceutical industry. It highlights the types of biomaterials and discusses their properties specific to each application.