Biomaterials

Biomaterials are biological or synthetic substances which can be introduced into body tissue to replace an organ, bodily function also used as a part of an implanted medical device.

The type of substance used is depandant on the type of tissue needed ie., whether soft or hard.For soft tissue replacements like heart valve, liver,heart implants etc.,polymers like nylon,rubber,silicon are used.For hard structures like bone & joint replacements metals like chromium,titanium etc and their alloys are used.
About 45% of heart valve implants in US are made of bm’s explains its significance.Most commonly used valve is bileaflet valve.Also has variety of applications like bone plates,joint replacements, artificial skin in plastic surgeries and where injuries are so deep restricting usage of natural skin graft.Breast implants to prevent cerivical cancer,contact lenses etc.,

How ever their use is limited as it needs to satisfy biocompatibility that is such repalcements may face rejection by patients immune system.They inturn need to pass clinical tests. Also their lifespan decreases over a period of time with corrosion,degradation in case of metals and polymer valves.

Usage of these may not have problems like transplantation by natural organs like liver ,kidney face social,ethical constraints.Further with the advent of nano technology new avenues may be thrown open and use of biomaterials may increase with time.

An important use of biomaterial was demonstrated by French scientists when they successfully implanted an artificial heart with the help of biomaterials which mimics the functions of contractions of the heart.