Biomaterials is the use of
materials both living tissue and
artificial materials, for
implantation. Understanding the properties of the living materials is vital in
the design of implant materials. The selection of an appropriate material to
place in the human body may be one of the most difficult tasks faced by the
biomedical engineer. Certain metal alloys,
ceramics, polymers and composites
have been used as implant materials. Biomaterials must be nontoxic, non-carcinogenic,
chemically inert (not reacting violently with the body's chemical composition), stable and mechanically strong enough to withstand
the repeated forces of a lifetime of use. Newer biomaterials even incorporate
living cells in order to provide a true biological and mechanical match for the
living tissue.
Examples of biomaterials include dental adhesives, bone cement, replacement bones/joints, heart prosthetics, heart replacement valves and artificial lungs and kidneys.