Main description:

Biomaterials and medical devices must be rigorously tested in the laboratory before they may be implanted into test subjects. By ensuring that these test methods are both quick and efficient, an increased number of materials can be tested and working implants can be produced more rapidly. The development of such tests is therefore essential to biomedical advancement, and Characterization of biomaterials reviews the latest methods for defining properties and characterizing materials. Beginning with an introduction to microscopy techniques for analyzing the phase nature and morphology of biomaterials, Characterization of biomaterials goes on to discuss a wide array of techniques and various unique approaches to the problems faced in characterizing biomaterials, whilst also providing information on standards and methods for assessing the safety and biocompatibility of biomaterials.

Contents:

Microscopy techniques for analyzing the phase nature and morphology of biomaterials; Scattering techniques for structural analysis of biomaterials; Quantitative assays for measuring cell adhesion and motility in biomaterials; Assays for determining cell differentiation in biomaterials; Bioreactors for evaluating cell infiltration and tissue formation in biomaterials; Studying molecular-scale protein-surface interactions in biomaterials; Assessing the mutagenic effects of biomaterials: analyzing the cellular genome and abnormalities; Using microarrays to measure cellular changes induced by biomaterials; Standards and methods for assessing the safety and biocompatibility of biomaterials.