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The Discipline

Primarily concerned with surgical devices and interactions/control of tissues they contact

Includes implant devices, drug delivery, biosensors, bioseparation, TE, cell/tissue/organ

culture, animal husbandary, aquaculture and the biochip Common theme is interaction between biosystem and synthetic or modified natural materials

Most materials used today developed within last 40-50 yrs 1995 - $6 billion industry; 1998 - $145 billion

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Devices rarely simple

Consideration of manufacture, sterilization, and intended use Biomaterial /a nonviable material used in a medical device intended to interact with biologic al systems (Williams, 1987) Biocompatibility: the ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application (Williams, 1987)

1994 definition of a biomaterial (Greco) – the word “nonviable” is removed

– “any substance, synthetic or natural in origin which treats, augments or replaces any tissue, organ or function of the body”

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