SERVICE CHARACTERISTICS OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS AND IMPLANTS

A wide variety of materials is being used in biomedical engineering for various functions. This includes a range of ceramics, polymers and metallic materials for implants and medical devices. A major question is how these materials will perform inside the body, which is very sensitive to alien materials. The material must not only survive to perform its intended function but also not initiate any damage to the surrounding tissue or induce a wider health problem. The service characteristics of implanted materials are of vital concern to health treatments that alleviate ageing.This book collates information and provides a concise text on the performance of different materials used in devices and implants. The knowledge presented is critical for a biomedical engineer, especially for the purpose of selecting the right materials. In addition, topics such as allergies and infection, tissue scaffolds, and drug delivery are reviewed.