INTRODUCTION

A biomaterial
is a nonviable material used in a medical device, intended to interact
with biological systems.1
is used to make devices to replace a part of a function of the body in
a safe, reliable, economic, and physiologically acceptable manner.
is any substance (other than a drug), natural or synthetic, that
treats, augments, or replaces any tissue, organ, and body function.

The need for biomaterials stems from an inability to treat many diseases,
injuries and conditions with other therapies or procedures :
replacement of body part that has lost function (total hip, heart)
correct abnormalities (spinal rod)
improve function (pacemaker, stent)
assist in healing (structural, pharmaceutical effects: sutures, drug
release)
1
Williams, D.F. (1987) Definitions in Biomaterials. Proceedings of a Consensus Conference of the European
Society For Biomaterials, England, 1986, Elsevier, New York.
HISTORY
Important dates
1860's: Lister develops aseptic surgical technique
early 1900's: Bone plates used to fix fractures
1930's: Introduction of stainless steel, cobalt chromium alloys
1938 : first total hip prosthesis (P. Wiles)
1940's: Polymers in medicine: PMMA bone repair; cellulose for
dialysis; nylon sutures
1952: Mechanical heart valve
1953: Dacron (polymer fiber) vascular grafts
1958: Cemented (PMMA) joint replacement
1960: first commercial heart valves
1970's: PEO (polyethyleneoxide) protein resistant thin film coating
1976: FDA ammendment governing testing & production of
biomaterials /devices
1976: Artificial heart (W. Kolff, Prof. Emeritus U of U)
EXAMPLES OF USES OF BIOMATERIALS
MATERIAL ATTRIBUTES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
BIOCOMPATIBILITY
There is no general set of criteria, that if met, qualify a material as being
biocompatible

The time scale over which the host is exposed to the material or
device must be considered
Classes of Biomaterials
Metals
stainless steel, cobalt alloys, titanium alloys
Ceramics
aluminum oxide, zirconia, calcium phosphates
Polymers
silicones, poly(ethylene), poly(vinyl chloride),
polyurethanes, polylactides
Natural polymers
collagen, gelatin, elastin, silk, polysaccharides
 Skin/cartilage
DrugDelivery
Devices
Ocularimplants
Polymers

Orthopedic Bone
screws/fixation replacements

Heart
valves
Metals Synthetic Ceramics
BIOMATERIALS

DentalImplants DentalImplants
Composites&
Semiconductor Biosensors
Implantable Materials
Microelectrodes
Class of Materials Used in the Body
Biomaterial Science
METALLIC IMPLANT MATERIALS
Stainless steel
Cobalt-chromium alloys
Titanium alloys
Must be corrosion resistant
Good fatigue properties
Other compatible issues

Metallic implants are used for two primary purposes.

To replace a portion of the body such as joints, long bones

and
skull plates.

Fixation devices are used to stabilize broken bones

March 27, 2017 10

 TITANIUM BASED ALLOYS

Theadvantageofusingtitaniumbasedalloysasimplantmaterials
are
lowdensity
goodmechanochemicalproperties
Themajordisadvantages
relativelyhighcost
reactivity.

March 27, 2017 11

TITANIUM BASED ALLOYS
More details
a light metal
Titanium exists in two allotropic forms,
The low temperature -form has a close-packed hexagonal
crystal structure with a c/a ratio of 1.587 at room temperature

Above 882.50C -titanium having a body centered cubic

structure which is stable

Ti-6 Al-4V alloy is generally used in one of three

conditions
wrought, forged or cast

March 27, 2017 12

 HIP-REPLACEMENTS
Some hip replacements ambulatory function restored within days after
surgery.

Others require an extensive healing period for attachment between

bone and the implant.

Most cases good function restored.

After 10-15 years, implant loosens requiring another operation.

HIP-REPLACEMENTS
Dental Implants
POLYMERS
Elastomers;abletowithstandlargedeformationsand
returntotheiroriginaldimensionsafterreleasingthe
stretchingforce.

Plastics;aremorerigid Elastomers include, butyl rubber,

materials chlorosulfonated polyethylene,
epichlorohydrin,rubber,
Thermoplastic(canbe polyurethane,natural rubber and silicone
rubber.
reused,melted)
Thermosetting(cant) Polymerstoxicity

Residual monomers due to incomplete

polymerization/catalyst used for
polymerizationmaycauseirritations.
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 Types of polymers
Polymer Specific Properties Biomedical uses
Polyethylene Low cost, easy Possibility excellent Tubes for various
electrical insulation properties, catheters, hip
excellent chemical resistance, joint, knee
toughness and flexibility even at joint
low temperatures prostheses

Polypropylene Excellent chemical resistance, Yarn for surgery,

weak permeability to water sutures
vapors good transparency and
surface reflection.
Tetrafluoroethyle Chemical inertness, exceptional Vascular and
ne weathering and heat resistance, auditory
nonadhesive, very low prostheses,
coefficient of friction catheters
tubes

March 27, 2017 17

 POLYURETHANES
Polytherurethanes;blockcopolymers(variablelengthblocksthataggregate
inphasedomains)
Goodphysicalandmechanicalcharacteristics
Arehydrophilicinnature

Goodbiocompatibility(bloodcompatibility)

Hydrolyticheartassistdevices
Noncytotoxictherapy

Consistsofhardandsoftsegments

LECTURE 5 BIOMATERIALS 18
 POLYAMIDES(Nylons)
Obtainedthroughcondensationofdiamineand
diacidderivative.
Excellentfiberformingpropertiesduetointerchain
hydrogenbondingandhighdegreeofcrystallinity,
whichincreasesthestrengthinthefiberdirection.
Hydrogenbondsplayamajorrole
Asacatheter
Hypodermicsyringes

Diaminohexane+adipicacid

March27,2017 BIOMATERIALS 19
Heart Valve
Almost as soon as valve implanted cardiac function is restored to
near normal.

Bileaflet tilting disk heart valve used most widely.

More than 45,000 replacement valves implanted every year in the

United States.
Bileaflet Heart Valves
Problems with Heart Valves
DegenerationofTissue.

MechanicalFailure.

Postoperativeinfection.

Inductionofbloodclots.

B. Amsden CHEE 340

Intraocular Lenses
MadeofPMM,siliconeelastomer,andothermaterials.

Byage75morethan50%ofpopulationsuffersfrom
cataracts.

1.4millionimplantationsintheUnitedStatesyearly.

Goodvisionisgenerallyrestoredalmostimmediately
afterlensisinserted.

B. Amsden CHEE 340

Intraocular Lenses
Implantation often performed on outpatient basis.
Vascular Grafts
Must Be Flexible.

Designed With Open Porous

Structure.

Often Recognized By Body

As Foreign.
Vascular Grafts
Achieve and maintain homeostasis.

Porous.

Permeable.

Good structure retention.

Adequate burst strength.

High fatigue resistance.

Low thrombogenecity.

Biostable & Good handling properties.

Types of Tissue Attachment of Bioceramic
Prostheses
Tissue Response to Biomaterials
Defined by interface between implant and tissue
Living tissue respond to all materials

1.Toxic
-surrounding tissues Dies

2.Inactive (but Non Toxic)

-Fibrous tissue forms

3.Active
-Interfacial bond forms

4.Non Toxic + Resorbable

-Surrounding tissue will replace it.