Biomaterials

COURSE CONTENT

Introduction to biomaterials: Fixed or regenerative approach. Bulk and surface properties of biometerials. Methods to study surface properties.

Examples of biomaterial use, joint replacement, soft tissue replacement, artificial organs.

Metallic implant materials- Stainless steel, cobalt-chrome, titanium and alloys. Structure and mechanical properties. Fabrication-casting, forging, machining.

Ceramics- alumina and zirconium based, glass ceramics and bio-glasses, natural ceramics, hydroxyapatite. Structure and mechanical properties, fabrication.

Polymers, addition and condensation. General structure and mechanical properties, glassy and elastomeric polymers. Chemical reactions, degradation of polymers. Polymer characterization – microscopy and spectroscopy. Polymeric implant materials examples, Poly-amides, -ethanes, -acrylates, -urethanes, hydrogels, fluorocarbons, dialyser membranes. Fabrication of devices.

Composites, fibres and matrix materials. Relation between structure and mechanical properties. Resorbable biomaterials.

Interaction of biomaterials and the body. Stability, adsorption, corrosion: electrochemistry, Pourbaix diagram. Biomaterials sterilization principles.

Haemocompatibility. example of dialyser membranes. Blood vessel damage, tissue damage; clotting, complement and white cell activation.

Biocompatibility assessment. Cell and tissue culture methods, cytotoxicity, biofunctionality, animal testing.

Concepts of tissue engineering. Scaffold characteristics and design methodologies, cell seeding, biofunctionalization, bioreactors. Ethical issues.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Tissue engineering; Regenerative medicine; Surface properties; Biocompatibility; Biofunctionality

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is an introduction to biomaterials. The aims are:

• To give the student basic knowledge concerning mechanical behaviour and biofunctionality of biomaterials.
• To introduce in the concept of biocompatibility
• To give the idea of complexity of the interaction between biological system and biomaterial.

To introduce the student in the content of tissue engineering and the regenerative medicine and how mechanical engineer contributes to medical devices development.