Biomaterial

"Biomaterials" redirects here. For the journal, see Biomaterials (journal).
A hip implant is an example of an application of biomaterials

A biomaterial is a substance that has been engineered to interact with biological systems for a medical purpose – either a therapeutic (treat, augment, repair, or replace a tissue function of the body) or a diagnostic one. The corresponding field of study, called biomaterials science or biomaterials engineering, is about fifty years old.[needs update] It has experienced steady growth over its history, with many companies investing large amounts of money into the development of new products. Biomaterials science encompasses elements of medicine, biology, chemistry, tissue engineering and materials science.

A biomaterial is different from a biological material, such as bone, that is produced by a biological system. However, "biomaterial" and "biological material" are often used interchangeably. Further, the word "bioterial" has been proposed as a potential alternate word for biologically-produced materials such as bone, or fungal biocomposites.[citation needed] Additionally, care should be exercised in defining a biomaterial as biocompatible, since it is application-specific. A biomaterial that is biocompatible or suitable for one application may not be biocompatible in another.[1]

IUPAC definition

Material exploited in contact with living tissues, organisms, or microorganisms.[2][a][b][c]

  1. ^ Schmalz, G.; Arenholdt-Bindslev, D. (2008). "Chapter 1: Basic Aspects". Biocompatibility of Dental Materials. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. pp. 1–12. ISBN 9783540777823. Archived from the original on 9 December 2017. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Vert, M.; Doi, Y.; Hellwich, K. H.; Hess, M.; Hodge, P.; Kubisa, P.; Rinaudo, M.; Schué, F. O. (2012). "Terminology for biorelated polymers and applications (IUPAC Recommendations 2012)". Pure and Applied Chemistry. 84 (2): 377. doi:10.1351/PAC-REC-10-12-04. S2CID 98107080.
  3. ^ Williams, D. F., ed. (2004). Definitions in Biomaterials, Proceedings of a Consensus Conference of the European Society for Biomaterials. Amsterdam: Elsevier.


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