Acknowledgement

This work is supported by Ms. Jaisatia, who provided the template for the assignment.

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Declaration

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Abstract

The purpose of this assignment is to detail the importance of biomaterials in modern society.
It goes into the basics of what defines a biomaterial along with the various classes of
biomaterials, required characteristics, and a brief history of the applications of biomaterials in
the medical sector, along with speculations on the future of biomaterials.

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Table of Content

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1. Introduction
Biomaterials are substances developed for medical interaction with biological
systems. The synthesis of biomaterials may be from organic elements or elements of
synthetic origin [2]. The functions of biomaterials are either passive (the object does not
interact with the biological system directly) or bioactive (the object interacts with the
biological system directly).

The field of biomaterials is a relatively recent one, with its inception being
approximately 50 years ago. In spite of its relatively late establishment, large advancements
have been made in the field, allowing for previously incurable or complex ailments to be
remedied in a simple, cost-effective manner. Certain biomaterials also function to accelerate
the body’s natural healing factor, allowing for faster curing and less side effects such as
infection. Biomaterials encompass a wide variety of applications, from the use of silicone in
contact lenses[4] to using biocellulose produced by bacteria for artificial blood vessels.[5]
For this assignment, our intention is to provide an in-depth understanding of the field of
biomaterial science in order to highlight its importance in modern society.

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2. Research report
Characteristics of Biomaterials
There are many different types of characteristics of biomaterials. The physical properties of
biomaterials may include its elasticity, durability and strength.[3] These physical properties
are achieved with different types of biomaterials appropriately so that it can be used ideally
for various individuals.

The reasons are that biomaterials may have varying degree of effects to different
individual hence to each their own person. This lead to the factor to be considered which is
biocompatibility.

Additionally, an ideal biomaterial is not easily sterilized. This means that normal
methods used to kill or destroy harmful materials or cells does not affect them too greatly.
For example, they cannot be destroyed by simple sterilization methods such as radiation, dry
heat and autoclaving.

Class of biomaterials[1]

There are various materials used in biomaterials with the hope of being able to achieve an
ideal outcome.

i ) Polymers

There are various types of polymers as the characteristics of these polymers are determined
by their monomers which are many molecules gathering together. An example of a polymer
is ethene as it is able to join up with other molecules that are alike. Suitable polymers are
selected such as polylactides, silicones and polyurethanes.

ii ) Natural polymers

Natural polymers are obtained from the wild from flora and fauna around us. For example, a
natural polymer is silk and has been used many years ago during the middle ages. Silk were
harvested from silkworms and in some cases, even spiders to make use of silk as beautiful
and comfortable fabric. There are many types of natural polymers used as biomaterials
besides silk such as collagen, polysaccharides and gelatin.

Polysaccharides are such as starch and cellulose meaning 'many sugars'. Another
useful natural polymer is rubber and has been harvested in Central and South Africa for

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hundreds of years. Rubber has been used inventively and innovative ways to produce
materials that has more elasticity and stronger.

iii) Metals

Metals are used in implants because they play an important role to increase the longevity of
the implants. The material used can be forged so that it can be shaped according to the
implant required using bending. However, most metals used are alloys to be more suitable for
their own purposes such as corrosion-resistance. Examples of metals used are such as
stainless steel, cobalt alloys and titanium alloys.

iv) Ceramics

Ceramic is a suitable biomaterial because it is bioresorbable so it is designed to degrade in the

body without harming the host. Ceramic is also an inert and bioactive compound so it
interacts with cells and tissues without harming them. There are many types of ceramic
compounds used such as aluminum oxide, calcium phosphates and zirconia depending on
their varying degree of usage and purposes.

Biocompatibility

A significantly sought-after characteristics is their biocompatibility. Biocompatibility is

defined as the properties of materials in various types of situation of cases having different
types of physical and chemical conditions without activating immunity responses from the
system of a living organism or its tissues.[2] It can also be described as its ability to
successfully integrate itself into the system of biological organism with little to none risk of
danger or harm to its host.

Biocompatibility is an important factor to be considered as negligence towards may in

mild cases only cause slight irritation however, major cases may cause bodily harm that may
lead to death.

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Issues

i) Environmental Issues

Biomaterials has compatibility with the environment and can be safely released into the
surroundings with less risk towards biological life. The reason is because most biomaterials
are frequently used in the medical field for treating mankind such as being replacement parts.
Additionally, biomaterials are mainly made up of biodegradable materials and tend to be able
to breakdown naturally at a quickly. This will prevent it from leading towards causing a
significant or disastrous impact towards the environment.

ii) Health Issues

The health issues posed by biomaterials towards human are quite minimal. It is safe to say
because biomaterials are made with the intention of replacing organs in humans for most
cases. This creates a situation for biomaterials to be safe for human use, hence biological life
as well assumedly. However, there are many types of materials used for biomaterials such as
biopolymers produced from other living organism so the biocompatibility of a specific
material cannot be assumed to be determined as safe for everyone.

2.2 Practical usage in industry

Millennia ago, the discovery that fire can turn formless clay in to ceramic, led to the
emergence of agricultural civilization and radically improved the quality and life expectancy.
Another revolution occurred already in our days in the use of ceramics for medical purposes.
This is an innovative application of specially designed ceramic materials for replacement and
treatment of patients or injured parts of the body. This area modern material science is called
(not entirely, however fairly) bio ceramics, it covers materials for implants in traumatology
and orthopedics, filling materials in dentistry, implants in maxillofacial surgery, medical and
cosmetic means. [4]

The usage of a biomaterial in industry can be classified into the categories below:

 Ophthalmologic applications

 Sutures

 Bioelectrodes and biosensors

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 Drug delivery systems

Ophthalmologic applications. Common ophthalmic diseases are visual impairment / poor

vision, blindness, refraction (myopia and hyperopia), astigmatism, presbyopia, cataract,
primary open glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. To find treatment for these diseases, many
implants were used, examples of which can be found in Table 2.1[4], alongside the
biomaterials used to construct them.

Sutures. The suture device consists of the suture strand, surgical needle, and the packaging
material used to protect the suture and needle during storage. The ideal suture must be
biocompatible, sterile, and compliant.

Needle design must be non-electrolytic, non-capillary (conducting), non-allergenic, and non-

carcinogenic. Examples of materials used for sutures are: silk, nylon, polyester, cotton,
polypropylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), stainless steel and
synthetic absorbable polymers such as poly glycolic acid (PGA), p-dioxanone (PDO) and etc.
[5]

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 *Pic1 needle and strand

Bioelectrodes and biosensors - Bioelectrodes are sensors that transmit information into and
out of the body. These bioelectrodes are mainly applied in cardiology and neurology
applications. A biosensor uses biological molecules, organisms, tissues or principles to
measure chemical or biochemical concentrations. Biosensors can be used as well as in
medical and non-medical applications. Biomedical sensors are sensors that detect medically
relevant parameters; these could range from simple physical parameters like blood pressure
or temperature, to analyses for which biosensors are appropriate (e.g. blood glucose).
Biosensors can work by changes in pH, ions, blood gases , drugs, hormones, proteins,
viruses, bacteria, tumors etc.

Various parameters affect the choice of electrode material (see Table 2.2)[6].

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Drug delivery systems - Drug delivery systems represent a link between the patient and the
drug. It allows doctors to deliver the drugs to exact locations. Drugs can be delivered to the
organ by different anatomical ways depending on disease and drug type: Digestive system,
oral, rectal, parenteral, mucous membranes, respiratory tract by inhalation, subcutaneous or
intraosseous (through bone marrow) are main anatomical routes. [6]

*Biomaterial which carries a drug. After time t it was delivered to the target.

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Past uses of Biomaterials

The early uses of bio materials are not as wide as now the 21st century. The usage of
biomaterials are for artificial heart and organ perfusion. Few from the past studies shows that
heart is the most important organ in our body. [7] The artificial heart is a device that performs
the same action as our heart does. It pumps blood to the organs in our body . Besides that in
the early ages of biomaterials, there have been use as contact lenses for those who are with
short and long sighted.[7] The first hip replacement is way back to 1981 when a German
surgeon uses a cemented ivory ball as a hip replacement.

Artificial kidney is also started in the earliest of biomaterials, it manually removes the
toxin that can’t be cleaned automatically because of kidney failure. It was invented and is
saving thousands of lives even now.[7]

Below are how the artificial heart and kidney look like

These are the contact lenses, artificial heart and the artificial kidney

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Current usage of biomaterials

Current usage of biomaterials are mostly in the medical sector. It has been used in
urology, cardiovascular and many more aspect of the human organ and parts. For urology,
applications for biomaterials are for implants of the human urinary tract system and the male
reproductive organs.[8]

For cardiovascular, it is most widely known to repair and regenerate tissues in our
body. Surgeons uses different method for repairing a damaged heart, it is divided into 2 types,
the naturals and the synthetics. Natural materials are basically derived from an organ donor
and replace the damaged ones. Synthetic materials are include metals and polymers. There is
a new type of composite that has emerge to take benefits of and minimized the weakness of
both natural and synthetic materials. [9]

Future usage of biomaterials

The future of biomaterials are very wide and scientist have a lot to do to improve or
invent many more ways to save lives using the technology.

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3. Conclusions
The usage of biomaterials on medicine is considered a breakthrough. Skin damage from
burns which were once permanent leading to disfiguration is now treatable using synthesized
tissue to excellent results. Fractured bones are also easily healed in extreme cases with the
use of titanium pins or screws to secure the bone fragments. Yet more advancements can be
made into the field. The cost of biomaterials in some cases are very high, leading to increased
medical costs for the patient. Some biomaterials have short lifespans, necessitating the patient
to continually replace them. More research has to be carried out to develop new biomaterials
that have low manufacturing costs, easy to implement, and have high biocompatibility in
numerous implementations. This will ensure that patients can afford the cost of their remedies
and allow them to live a relatively normal life without much interference.

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Appendix A: References and Bibliography
[1]Natural Polymers; http://pslc.ws/macrog/kidsmac/natural.htm

[2]Wikipedia; Biomaterials; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomaterial#Compatibility

[3]Universiti Malaysia Pahang; Biomaterials;

http://ocw.ump.edu.my/pluginfile.php/1228/mod_resource/content/1/CHAPTER
%204%20OCW%20PDF.pdf

[4]https://www.lentiamo.co.uk/blog/does-the-following-apply.html

[5]G. Helenius, et al., "In vivo biocompatibility of bacterial cellulose," Journal of Biomedical
Material Research: Part A, vol. 76A, no. 2, pp. 431-438, 2005.

[6]https://www.geistlich-na.com/en-us/patients/biomaterials/

[7] BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE(third edition)

[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urology

[9]http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S156990560200146X

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Appendix B: Data sheets, technical specifications

Table 2.1

Table 2.2 Conditions that influence the selection of materials for electrodes

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