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Introduction to Biomaterials

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Biomaterials and Biopolymers

Part of the book series: AAPS Introductions in the Pharmaceutical Sciences ((AAPSINSTR,volume 7))

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Abstract

This book chapter highlights the significance of biomaterials in modern medicine and biology. Biomaterials can be used to replace or repair damaged or missing body parts, allowing patients to regain mobility and improve their quality of life. The unique properties of biomaterials make them suitable for a range of medical devices, including implants, prosthetics, cardiovascular devices, drug delivery systems, wound dressings, and tissue engineering. Biocompatibility is a key characteristic of biomaterials, allowing them to interact with living tissue without causing adverse reactions. Mechanical properties and durability, which cause biomaterials to degrade in the body over time, are other crucial characteristics. Biomaterials are classified into natural and synthetic biomaterials. Each class has its unique advantages, making them suitable for various applications in the medical field. For instance, metals and ceramics are commonly used as cardiovascular, orthopaedic, dental implants and vascular stents due to their strength and biocompatibility, while polymers are used in wound dressings, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering due to their versatility and customization. The unique properties of natural biomaterials make them attractive for various applications in different fields. Some of these applications include medical implants and devices, pharmaceutics, tissue engineering, food packaging, cosmetics, and environmental applications. Ongoing research efforts are focused on develo** biomaterials with improved biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and degradation rates, leading to the creation of innovative treatments and devices in medicine. Overall, biomaterials have the potential to revolutionize healthcare by enabling the development of novel treatments and devices that can improve patient outcomes and quality of life. With ongoing research and development, the potential for biomaterials to transform healthcare is vast, offering hope for the future.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy-Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Centre for Cannabis Research and the Institute of Drug Research, The Alex Grass Centre for Drug Design and Synthesis, Jerusalem, Israel

    Pulikanti Guruprasad Reddy, Ravi Saklani, Manas Kumar Mandal & Abraham J. Domb

Authors
  1. Pulikanti Guruprasad Reddy
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  2. Ravi Saklani
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  3. Manas Kumar Mandal
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  4. Abraham J. Domb
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abraham J. Domb .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy-Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Centre for Cannabis Research and the Institute of Drug Research The Alex Grass Centre for Drug Design and Synthesis, Jerusalem, Israel

    Avi Domb

  2. Laboratory for Bio-materials Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    Boaz Mizrahi

  3. The Laboratory for Advanced Functional/Medicinal Polymers & Smart Drug Delivery Technologies, The Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    Shady Farah

Quiz/Multiple Answer Questions

Quiz/Multiple Answer Questions

  1. 1.

    Which of the Following Is Not a Biomaterial :

    • (a) Dental Implants (b) Antibiotics (c) Prosthetic Limbs (d) Heart Pacemaker

  • Answer: (b) antibiotics.

  • Explanation: Antibiotics are drugs, which do not belong to the category of biomaterials.

  1. 2.

    Biomaterials can be:

    • (a) Natural (b) Synthetic material (c) Both a and b (d) None of the above.

  • Answer: (c) Both a and b.

  1. 3.

    What is the most important characteristic of a biomaterial :

    • (a) Biocompatibility (b) Biological functionality (c) Chemical stability (d) All.

  • Answer: (d) All.

  1. 4.

    Which of the following is not the application of biomaterials :

    • (a) Drug delivery (b) Tissue replacement (c) Nutrition (d) Orthodontics.

  • Answer: (c) Nutrition.

  1. 5.

    Among the following which is not a natural biomaterial :

    • (a) Polylactic acid (b) Collagen (c) Silk (d) Gelatin.

  • Answer: (a) Polylactic acid.

  • Explanation: Collagen, silk and gelatine and natural biomaterials are obtained from the biological source. Perhaps, the polylactic acid is a synthetic polymer which is obtained from the polymerization of lactic acid monomer (D,L-Lactide).

  1. 6.

    Among the following which biomaterial belongs to the class of synthetic non-degradable polymers:

    • (a) poly(methyl methacrylate) (b) polyurethanes (c) both a and b (d) poly(lactide-co-glycolide)

  • Answer: (c) both a and b.

  • Explanation: poly(lactide-co-glycolide) consisting ester linkage in the polymer chain, which can undergo hydrolysis in aqueous environment. While the poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyurethanes are non-biodegradable and do not have any ester linkage to undergo hydrolysis.

  1. 7.

    Among the following statements which one is incorrect for polyanhydrides biomaterials :

    1. (a)

      polyanhydrides are synthetic polymeric biomaterials.

    2. (b)

      polyanhydrides belong to the class of natural synthetic polymers.

    3. (c)

      polyanhydrides are biodegradable.

    4. (d)

      Both A and C.

  • Answer: (d) Both A and C.

  • Explanation: Polyanhydrides are synthetic polymer biomaterials, which are biodegradable.

  1. 8.

    Biomaterial are not used as.

    • (a) Drugs (b) Drug delivery carrier (c) Medical implants (d) Diagnostics.

  • Answer: (a) Drugs.

  1. 9.

    Among the following which is not belong to the class of metallic biomaterials:

    • Stainless steel (b) Co-Cr alloys (c) Hydroxyapatite (d) Ti and its alloys.

  • Answer: (c) Hydroxyapatite.

  • Explanation: Hydroxyapatite is an example for ceramic biomaterials. While the stainless steel, Co-Cr alloys and Ti and its alloys belong to the class of metallic biomaterials.

  1. 10.

    Which of the following is a natural biomaterial?

    • A) Silicone B) Stainless steel C) Collagen D) Polyethylene.

  • Answer: C) Collagen.

  • Explanation: Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that is found in connective tissue and is commonly used as a biomaterial in various medical applications.

  1. 11.

    Which of the following is not a biomaterial ?

    • a) Titanium b) Silicone c) Glass d) Polyester.

  • Answer: c) Glass.

  • Explanation: Glass is not considered a biomaterial because it is not naturally occurring in the body and does not interact with biological systems in the same way as other biomaterials.

  1. 12.

    What is the primary purpose of biomaterials ?

    1. (a)

      To replace damaged or diseased tissue.

    2. (b)

      To stimulate tissue regeneration.

    3. (c)

      To enhance tissue function.

    4. (d)

      All of the above.

  • Answer: d) All of the above.

  • Explanation: Biomaterials can be used for a variety of purposes, including replacing damaged or diseased tissue, stimulating tissue regeneration, and enhancing tissue function.

  1. 13.

    Which of the following is a disadvantage of using metallic biomaterials ?

    1. (a)

      Poor biocompatibility.

    2. (b)

      Limited mechanical properties.

    3. (c)

      High cost.

    4. (d)

      Susceptibility to corrosion.

  • Answer: d) Susceptibility to corrosion.

  • Explanation: Metallic biomaterials can corrode over time, leading to device failure or release of toxic ions into the surrounding tissue.

  1. 14.

    What is the primary advantage of using biodegradable biomaterials ?

    1. (a)

      They are more biocompatible than non-biodegradable materials.

    2. (b)

      They reduce the risk of long-term complications.

    3. (c)

      They eliminate the need for removal surgery.

    4. (d)

      They are more cost-effective than non-biodegradable materials.

  • Answer: (b) They reduce the risk of long-term complications.

  • Explanation: Biodegradable biomaterials can be broken down and absorbed by the body over time, reducing the risk of long-term complications or the need for removal surgery.

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Reddy, P.G., Saklani, R., Mandal, M.K., Domb, A.J. (2023). Introduction to Biomaterials. In: Domb, A., Mizrahi, B., Farah, S. (eds) Biomaterials and Biopolymers . AAPS Introductions in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol 7. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36135-7_1

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