Smart Biomaterials


Book Description

This book provides comprehensive coverage of smart biomaterials and their potential applications, a field that is developing at a very rapid pace. Because smart biomaterials are an emerging class of biomaterials that respond to small changes in external stimuli with large discontinuous changes in their physical properties, they have been designed to act as an “on–off” switch for, among others, bio separation, immunoanalysis, drug delivery technologies, gene therapy, diagnostics, bio sensors and artificial muscles. After an introduction to the topic and the history of smart biomaterials, the author gives the reader an in-depth look at the properties, mechanics, and characterization of smart biomaterials including hydrogels, particles, assemblies, surfaces, fibers and conjugates. Information on the wide range of applications for these materials follows, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, diagnostics, biosensors, bio separation and actuators. In addition, recent advances in shape memory biomaterials as active components of medical devices are also presented.




In Situ Tissue Regeneration


Book Description

In Situ Tissue Regeneration: Host Cell Recruitment and Biomaterial Design explores the body's ability to mobilize endogenous stem cells to the site of injury and details the latest strategies developed for inducing and supporting the body's own regenerating capacity. From the perspective of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, this book describes the mechanism of host cell recruitment, cell sourcing, cellular and molecular roles in cell differentiation, navigational cues and niche signals, and a tissue-specific smart biomaterial system that can be applied to a wide range of therapies. The work is divided into four sections to provide a thorough overview and helpful hints for future discoveries: endogenous cell sources; biochemical and physical cues; smart biomaterial development; and applications. - Explores the body's ability to mobilize endogenous stem cells to the site of injury - Details the latest strategies developed for inducing and supporting the body's own regenerating capacity - Presents smart biomaterials in cell-based tissue engineering applications—from the cell level to applications—in the first unified volume - Features chapter authors and editors who are authorities in this emerging field - Prioritizes a discussion of the future direction of smart biomaterials for in situ tissue regeneration, which will affect an emerging and lucrative industry




Injectable Biomaterials


Book Description

Novel injectable materials for non-invasive surgical procedures are becoming increasingly popular. An advantage of these materials include easy deliverability into the body, however the suitability of their mechanical properties must also be carefully considered. Injectable biomaterials covers the materials, properties and biomedical applications of injectable materials, as well as novel developments in the technology.Part one focuses on materials and properties, with chapters covering the design of injectable biomaterials as well as their rheological properties and the mechanical properties of injectable polymers and composites. Part two covers the clinical applications of injectable biomaterials, including chapters on drug delivery, tissue engineering and orthopaedic applications as well as injectable materials for gene delivery systems. In part three, existing and developing technologies are discussed. Chapters in this part cover such topics as environmentally responsive biomaterials, injectable nanotechnology, injectable biodegradable materials and biocompatibility. There are also chapters focusing on troubleshooting and potential future applications of injectable biomaterials.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Injectable biomaterials is a standard reference for materials scientists and researchers working in the biomaterials industry, as well as those with an academic interest in the subject. It will also be beneficial to clinicians. - Comprehensively examines the materials, properties and biomedical applications of injectable materials, as well as novel developments in the technology - Reviews the design of injectable biomaterials as well as their rheological properties and the mechanical properties of injectable polymers and composites - Explores clinical applications of injectable biomaterials, including drug delivery, tissue engineering, orthopaedic applications and injectable materials for gene delivery systems




Biomaterials for Artificial Organs


Book Description

The worldwide demand for organ transplants far exceeds available donor organs. Consequently some patients die whilst waiting for a transplant. Synthetic alternatives are therefore imperative to improve the quality of, and in some cases, save people's lives. Advances in biomaterials have generated a range of materials and devices for use either outside the body or through implantation to replace or assist functions which may have been lost through disease or injury. Biomaterials for artificial organs reviews the latest developments in biomaterials and investigates how they can be used to improve the quality and efficiency of artificial organs.Part one discusses commodity biomaterials including membranes for oxygenators and plasmafilters, titanium and cobalt chromium alloys for hips and knees, polymeric joint-bearing surfaces for total joint replacements, biomaterials for pacemakers, defibrillators and neurostimulators and mechanical and bioprosthetic heart valves. Part two goes on to investigate advanced and next generation biomaterials including small intestinal submucosa and other decullarized matrix biomaterials for tissue repair, new ceramics and composites for joint replacement surgery, biomaterials for improving the blood and tissue compatibility of total artificial hearts (TAH) and ventricular assist devices (VAD), nanostructured biomaterials for artificial tissues and organs and matrices for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors Biomaterials for artificial organs is an invaluable resource to researchers, scientists and academics concerned with the advancement of artificial organs. - Reviews the latest developments in biomaterials and investigates how they can be used to improve the quality and efficiency of artificial organs - Discusses commodity biomaterials including membranes for oxygenators and cobalt chromium alloys for hips and knees and polymeric joint-bearing surfaces for total joint replacements - Further biomaterials utilised in pacemakers, defibrillators, neurostimulators and mechanical and bioprosthetic heart valve are also explored




Advanced Healthcare Materials


Book Description

Offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary view of cutting-edge research on advanced materials for healthcare technology and applications Advanced healthcare materials are attracting strong interest in fundamental as well as applied medical science and technology. This book summarizes the current state of knowledge in the field of advanced materials for functional therapeutics, point-of-care diagnostics, translational materials, and up-and-coming bioengineering devices. Advanced Healthcare Materials highlights the key features that enable the design of stimuli-responsive smart nanoparticles, novel biomaterials, and nano/micro devices for either diagnosis or therapy, or both, called theranostics. It also presents the latest advancements in healthcare materials and medical technology. The senior researchers from global knowledge centers have written topics including: State-of-the-art of biomaterials for human health Micro- and nanoparticles and their application in biosensors The role of immunoassays Stimuli-responsive smart nanoparticles Diagnosis and treatment of cancer Advanced materials for biomedical application and drug delivery Nanoparticles for diagnosis and/or treatment of Alzheimers disease Hierarchical modelling of elastic behavior of human dental tissue Biodegradable porous hydrogels Hydrogels in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound care Modified natural zeolites Supramolecular hydrogels based on cyclodextrin poly(pseudo)rotaxane Polyhydroxyalkanoate-based biomaterials Biomimetic molecularly imprinted polymers




Biomedical Hydrogels


Book Description

Hydrogels are very important for biomedical applications because they can be chemically manipulated to alter and control the hydrogel's interaction with cells and tissues. Their flexibility and high water content is similar to that of natural tissue, making them extremely suitable for biomaterials applications. Biomedical hydrogels explores the diverse range and use of hydrogels, focusing on processing methods and novel applications in the field of implants and prostheses. Part one of this book concentrates on the processing of hydrogels, covering hydrogel swelling behaviour, superabsorbent cellulose-based hydrogels and regulation of novel hydrogel products, as well as chapters focusing on the structure and properties of hydrogels and different fabrication technologies. Part two covers existing and novel applications of hydrogels, including chapters on spinal disc and cartilage replacement implants, hydrogels for ophthalmic prostheses and hydrogels for wound healing applications. The role of hydrogels in imaging implants in situ is also discussed. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Biomedical hydrogels is an excellent reference for biomedical research scientists and engineers in industry and academia, as well as others involved in research in this area, such as research clinicians. - Examines the diverse range and use of hydrogels, focusing on processing methods and novel applications - Comprehensive book explores the structure and properties of hydrogels and different fabrication technologies - Covers important areas such as processing of hydrogels, covering hydrogel swelling behaviour, superabsorbent cellulose-based hydrogels and regulation of novel hydrogel products




Advances in Regenerative Medicine: Role of Nanotechnology, and Engineering Principles


Book Description

This book summarizes the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) on “Nanoengineered Systems for Regenerative Medicine” that was organized under the auspices of the NATO Security through Science Program. I would like to thank NATO for supporting this workshop via a grant to the co-directors. The objective of ARW was to explore the various facets of regenerative me- cine and to highlight role of the “the nano-length scale” and “nano-scale systems” in defining and controlling cell and tissue environments. The development of novel tissue regenerative strategies require the integration of new insights emerging from studies of cell-matrix interactions, cellular signalling processes, developmental and systems biology, into biomaterials design, via a systems approach. The chapters in the book, written by the leading experts in their respective disciplines, cover a wide spectrum of topics ranging from stem cell biology, developmental biology, ce- matrix interactions, and matrix biology to surface science, materials processing and drug delivery. We hope the contents of the book will provoke the readership into developing regenerative medicine paradigms that combine these facets into cli- cally translatable solutions. This NATO meeting would not have been successful without the timely help of Dr. Ulrike Shastri, Sanjeet Rangarajan and Ms. Sabine Benner, who assisted in the organization and implementation of various elements of this meeting. Thanks are also due Dr. Fausto Pedrazzini and Ms. Alison Trapp at NATO HQ (Brussels, Belgium). The commitment and persistence of Ms.




Immunomodulatory Biomaterials


Book Description

Biomaterials have existed for millennia as mechanical replacement structures following disease or injury. Biomaterial design has changed markedly from structural support with an "inert immune profile as the primary objective to designs that elicit an integrative local tissue response and a pro-repair immune cell phenotype. Immunomodulatory Biomaterials: Regulating the Immune Response with Biomaterials to Affect Clinical Outcome offers a single, comprehensive reference on biomaterials for modulation of the host response, for materials scientists, tissue engineers and those working in regenerative medicine. This book details methods, materials and strategies designed to regulate the host immune response following surgical implantation and thus facilitate specific local cell infiltration and tissue deposition. There has been a dramatic transformation in our understanding of the role of the immune system, both innate and adaptive; these changes include recognition of the plasticity of immune cells, especially macrophages, cross-talk between the immune system and stem cells, and the necessity for in situ transition between inflammatory and regulatory immune cell phenotypes. The exploitation of these findings and the design and manufacture of new biomaterials is occurring at an astounding pace. There is currently no book directed at the interdisciplinary principles guiding the design, manufacture, testing, and clinical translation of biomaterials that proactively regulate the host tissue immune response. The challenge for academia, industry, and regulatory agencies to encourage innovation while assuring safety and maximizing efficacy has never been greater. Given the highly interdisciplinary requirements for the design, manufacture and use of immunomodulatory biomaterials, this book will prove a useful single resource across disciplines. - Holistically covers the design, manufacture, testing, and clinical translation of biomaterials that proactively regulate the host tissue immune response - Provides a single reference for understanding and utilizing the host response in biomaterials design - An international collaboration of leading researchers in the field offering a novel insight into this fast-growing area