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Can biomaterials achieve human body repair? How powerful are these magical materials!
With the development of medical technology, biomaterials, as an emerging scientific field, are attracting more and more attention. Biomaterials are substances designed and engineered to interact with biological systems for the purpose of treating, enhancing, repairing or replacing tissue function in the human body.
Biomaterials science is an interdisciplinary subject, covering elements such as medicine, biology, chemistry, tissue engineering and materials science.
Biomaterials have experienced steady growth since the emergence of this field, with many companies investing heavily in the development of new products. Biomaterials can be divided into materials derived from nature and materials synthesized in laboratories, and are often used in medical applications. The functionality of these materials can be passive, such as in heart valve applications, or more interactive, bioactive applications, such as hip implants coated with hydroxyapatite.
Biological activity
Biological activity refers to the ability of a biological material to induce physiological responses and promote its function and performance. Particularly in bioactive glasses and bioactive ceramics, the term often refers to the implant material's ability to bond tightly with surrounding tissue.
Good biocompatibility as well as strength and dissolution rate are properties sought after by many biomaterials.
With the development of computational simulation technology, the development of clinically useful biomaterials has been accelerated, and the molecular effects of materials in therapeutic settings can be predicted based on limited experimental data.
Self-assembly technology
Self-assembly is a term commonly used in the modern scientific community to describe the process in which particles (such as atoms, molecules, colloids, etc.) spontaneously aggregate without the influence of external forces. These particles can form thermodynamically stable and well-structured arrays, similar to one of seven crystal systems in metallurgy and mineralogy.
Self-assembly technology is also considered a new strategy in chemical synthesis and nanotechnology, helping to design superior biomaterials based on microstructures in nature.
Structural hierarchy
Nearly all materials can be viewed as hierarchically structured, but in biological materials, this hierarchical organization is intrinsic. Taking bone tissue as an example, collagen is the main component of the organic matrix, and it is intertwined with minerals to form the basic bone tissue structure.
The hierarchical structure of biomaterials allows them to exhibit different performance characteristics in various applications. These characteristics depend on the design of their microstructure and the properties of the materials.
Application fields
Biomaterials play a vital role in the medical field. Common applications include:
- Joint Replacement
- Bone plate
- Intraocular lenses in eye surgery
- Artificial ligaments and tendons
- Dental Implants
- Vascular prosthesis
- Heart valve
- Skin repair equipment
- Drug delivery system
- Anesthesia catheter
Biological materials must be compatible with the human body, and many biocompatibility issues need to be resolved before clinical application.
Biodegradable materials
Biodegradable materials refer to materials that can be degraded through natural enzymatic reactions. The use of biodegradable materials has been a trend since the 1960s and is widely accepted for their lower risk of long-term harmful effects.
Summary
In today's medical technology, biomaterials continue to drive innovation and development. Not only can these materials repair and replace damaged tissue, they also have the potential to interact with the human body. However, as technology advances, what new biomaterials will we discover in the future that will change medical practice?
