Given the widespread use of polymers in medical devices, the durability and reliability of this material in use is an area of critical importance. Durability and reliability of medical polymers reviews the performance of both bioresorbable and non-bioresorbable medical polymers.
Part one provides a review of the types and properties of bioresorbable medical polymers. The effect of molecular structure on properties is discussed, along with the processing of bioresorbable and other polymers for medical applications. Transport phenomena and the degradation of bioresorbable medical polymers are reviewed, before an exploration of synthetic bioresorbable polymers and their use in orthopaedic tissue regeneration. Part two goes on to explore the durability and reliability of non-bioresorbable medical polymers, and wear processes in polymer implants and ageing processes of biomedical polymers in the body are discussed in depth, before an investigation into manufacturing defects and the failure of synthetic polymeric medical devices.
With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Durability and reliability of medical polymers is an essential tool for all materials scientists, researchers and engineers involved in the design, development and application of medical polymers, whilst also providing a helpful overview of the subject for biologists, chemist and clinicians.
Comprehensively examines the performance of both bioresorbable and non-bioresorbable medical polymersDiscusses the processing of bioresorbable and other polymers for medical applications, before reviewing the degradation of bioresorbable medical polymersExplores the durability and reliability of non-bioresorbable medical polymers and discusses wear processes in polymer implants and ageing processes of biomedical polymers in the body

Employed for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes, breast implants are one of the most widely-used and controversial prostheses available. The development of safe, reliable products is vital to the future of this important field of surgery. Biomaterials in plastic surgery reviews the history, materials and safety issues associated with breast implants.
Beginning with an introduction to the history of biomaterials used for breast augmentation, Biomaterials in plastic surgery goes on to discuss development issues. It then discusses the chemistry and physical properties of biomedical silicones before reviewing cohesive gel and polyurethane foam implants. The book concludes by analysing the epidemiological evidence on the safety issues relating to breast implants, followed by a review of retrieval and analysis of breast implants emphasizing strength, durability and failure mechanisms.
With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Biomaterials in plastic surgery is an important guide for surgeons, manufacturers and all those researching this important field.
Comprehensively examines the history, materials and safety issues associated with breast implantsProvides an overview of the history of biomaterials used for breast augmentation and goes on to discuss the development and chemical and physical properties of biomedical siliconesReviews cohesive gel breast implants and polyurethane foam breast implants

Although hip, knee and other orthopaedic implants are well-established prostheses, much remains to be understood about how these implants wear in use. This important book summarises the wealth of recent research in this area and its implications for implant and joint design.
After an introductory overview, the book reviews the causes and prevention of implant wear. Part one discusses fundamental issues such as tissue response to wear, the anatomy and biomechanics of hips and knees as well as the materials and design issues they raise for hip, knee and other types of orthopaedic implant. Part two considers wear phenomena in a range of materials, including ultra-high molecular weight (UHMWPE), metal and ceramic joints. It also covers surgical and other factors influencing wear as well as ways of detecting, analysing and predicting implant wear and failure.
With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Wear of orthopaedic implants and artificial joints is a standard reference for implant manufacturers, surgeons and those researching this important area.
Summarises the wealth of recent research into the wear of orthopaedic implants and artificial joints and discusses the implications for implant and joint designReviews the causes and prevention of implant wear, tissue response to wear, the anatomy and biomechanics of hips and knees and the materials and design issues they raise for orthopaedic implantsConsiders wear phenomena in a range of materials, including ultra-high molecular weight (UHMWPE), metal and ceramic joints

Medical devices play an important role in the field of medical and health technology, and encompass a wide range of health care products. Directive 2007/47/EC defines a medical device as any instrument, apparatus, appliance, software, material or other article, whether used alone or in combination, including the software intended by its manufacturer to be used specifically for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes and necessary for its proper application, intended by the manufacturer to be used for human beings. The design and manufacture of medical devices brings together a range of articles and case studies dealing with medical device R&D. Chapters in the book cover materials used in medical implants, such as Titanium Oxide, polyurethane, and advanced polymers; devices for specific applications such as spinal and craniofacial implants, and other issues related to medical devices, such as precision machining and integrated telemedicine systems.
Contains articles on a diverse range of subjects within the field, with internationally renowned specialists discussing each medical deviceOffers a practical approach to recent developments in the design and manufacture of medical devicesPresents a topic that is the focus of research in many important universities and centres of research worldwide

Protein folding is a process by which a protein structure assumes its functional shape of conformation, and has been the subject of research since the publication of the first software tool for protein structure prediction. Protein folding in silico approaches this issue by introducing an ab initio model that attempts to simulate as far as possible the folding process as it takes place in vivo, and attempts to construct a mechanistic model on the basis of the predictions made. The opening chapters discuss the early stage intermediate and late stage intermediate models, followed by a discussion of structural information that affects the interpretation of the folding process. The second half of the book covers a variety of topics including ligand binding site recognition, the "fuzzy oil drop" model and its use in simulation of the polypeptide chain, and misfolded proteins. The book ends with an overview of a number of other ab initio methods for protein structure predictions and some concluding remarks.
Discusses a range of ab initio models for protein structure predictionIntroduces a unique model based on experimental observationsDescribes various methods for the quantitative assessment of the presented models from the viewpoint of information theory

This volume in the "Methods in Enzymology" series comprehensively covers Cancer, Cardiovascular and the central nervous system of Nanomedicine. With an international board of authors, this volume is split into sections that cover subjects such as Diabetes and nanotechnology as potential therapy, Nanomedicines for inflammatory diseases, and Development and use of ceramide nanoliposomes in cancer.
Comprehensively covers cancer and the cardiovascular and central nervous systems of nanomedicineAn international board of authorsSplit into sections that cover subjects such as diabetes and nanotechnology as potential therapy, nanomedicines for inflammatory diseases, and the development and use of ceramide nanoliposomes in cancer

The biomaterials sector is rapidly expanding and significant advances have been made in the technology of biomedical coatings and materials, which provide a means to improve the wear of joints, change the biological interaction between implant and host and combine the properties of various materials to improve device performance. Coatings for biomedical applications provides an extensive review of coating types and surface modifications for biomedical applications.
The first part of the book explores a range of coating types and their biomedical applications. Chapters look at hydrophilic, mineral and pyrolytic carbon coatings in and ex vivo orthopaedic applications and finally at surface modification and preparation techniques. Part two presents case studies of orthopaedic and ophthalmic coatings, and biomedical applications including vascular stents, cardiopulomonary by-pass equipment and ventricular assist devices.
With its clear structure and comprehensive review of research, Coatings for biomedical applications is a valuable resource to researchers, scientists and engineers in the biomedical industry. It will also benefit anyone studying or working within the biomedical sector, particularly those specialising in biomedical coatings.
Provides an extensive review of coating types and surface modifications for biomedical applicationsChapters look at hydrophilic coatings for biomedical applications in and ex vivo, mineral coatings for orthopaedic applications, pyrolytic carbon coating and other commonly-used biomedical coatingsPresents case studies of orthopaedic and ophthalmic coatings, and biomedical applications including vascular stents, cardiopulomonary by-pass equipment and ventricular assist devices

Developments in tissue engineered and regenerative medicine products summarizes recent developments in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine with an emphasis on commercialization and product development. Features of current cell therapy and tissue engineered products which have facilitated successful commercialization are emphasized and roadblocks to successful product development are also highlighted. Preclinical and clinical testing of tissue engineered and regenerative medicine products, regulatory, quality control, manufacturing issues, as well as generating and securing intellectual property and freedom to operate considerations are presented. This book represents a complete 'how-to' manual for the development of tissue engineered and regenerative medicine products from conceptualization to clinical trial to manufacturing.
Addresses practical considerations for the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine from the perspective of the biotechnology industryWritten as a manual for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine product development applicable to the US and EUIllustrates pathway integration of science and business required for successful product development

Bioactive materials play an increasingly important role in the biomaterials industry, and are used for a range of applications, including artificial organs, drug delivery systems, nanomedicine, and biosensors. Bioactive materials in medicine reviews the current status and ongoing development of bioactive materials for medical applications.
Following an introduction to bioactive materials in medicine, part one covers the process of designing bioactive materials, including chapters on molecular design, nanotechnology, and tissue engineering. Part two focuses on the different applications of bioactive materials in medicine, with chapters discussing applications in orthopaedics, in the circulatory system, and as antibacterials. The final chapters focus on the uses of these materials in gene therapy, plastic surgery and body reconstruction, and in drug delivery systems.
With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Bioactive materials in medicine is an essential reference for researchers and designers in industry, as well as those with an academic interest in the subject.
Discusses the current status and ongoing development of bioactive materials for medical applicationsExplores the process of designing bioactive materials, including molecular design, nanotechnology, and tissue engineeringAssesses different applications of bioactive materials in medicine featuring applications in orthopaedics, in the circulatory system, and as antibacterials

Wound repair is an important and growing sector of the medical industry with increasingly sophisticated biomaterials and strategies being developed to treat wounds. Advanced wound repair therapies provides readers with up-to-date information on current and emerging biomaterials and advanced therapies concerned with healing surgical and chronic wounds.
Part one provides an introduction to chronic wounds, with chapters covering dysfunctional wound healing, scarring and scarless wound healing and monitoring of wounds. Part two covers biomaterial therapies for chronic wounds, including chapters on functional requirements of wound repair biomaterials, polymeric materials for wound dressings and interfacial phenomena in wound healing. In part three, molecular therapies for chronic wounds are discussed, with chapters on topics such as drug delivery, molecular and gene therapies and antimicrobial dressings. Part four focuses on biologically-derived and cell-based therapies for chronic wounds, including engineered tissues, biologically-derived scaffolds and stem cell therapies for wound repair. Finally, part five covers physical stimulation therapies for chronic wounds, including electrical stimulation, negative pressure therapy and mechanical debriding devices.
With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Advanced wound repair therapies is an essential reference for researchers and materials scientists in the wound repair industry, as well as clinicians and those with an academic research interest in the subject.
Provides readers with up-to-date information on current and emerging biomaterials and advanced therapies concerned with healing surgical and chronic woundsChapters include the role of micro-organisms and biofilms in dysfunctional wound healing, tissue-biomaterial interaction and electrical stimulation for wound healingCovers biologically-derived and cell-based therapies for chronic wounds, including engineered tissues, biologically-derived scaffolds and stem cell therapies for wound repair

Among the most interesting fields in research are the emerging possibilities to interface the human brain directly with machines, e.g. with computers and robotic interfaces. The European Space Agency's Advanced Concept team as a multidisciplinary team from engineering, artificial intelligence, and neural engineering has been working on the cutting edge of exploring brain machine interfaces for application in space as solutions to limitations astronauts face in space, and this book for the first time presents the state-of-the-art-cohesively.
* A pioneering book for a pioneering field
* Presents the application of cutting-edge brain machine interface technologies and concepts to support astronauts in space
* Of great interest to space scientists, neuroscientists, and biomedical engineers alike

This book provides a foundation for understanding the fundamentals of biomedical informatics, which deals with the storage, retrieval, and use of biomedical data for biological problem solving and medical decision making. It covers the application of these principles to the three main biomedical domains of basic biology, clinical medicine, and public health. The author offers a coherent summary, focusing on the three core concept areas of biomedical data and knowledge representation, biomedical information access, biomedical decision making, and information and technology use in biomedical contexts.
* Develops principles and methods for representing biomedical data, using information in context and in decision making, and accessing information to assist the medical community in using data to its full potential
* Provides a series of principles for expressing biomedical data and ideas in a computable form to integrate biological, clinical, and public health applications
* Includes a discussion of user interfaces, interactive graphics, and knowledge resources and reference material on programming languages to provide medical informatics programmers with the technical tools to develop systems

Modelling and Control in Biomedical Systems (including Biological Systems) was held in Reims, France, 20-22 August 2006. This Symposium was organised by the University of Reims Champagne Ardenne and the Societe de l Electricite, de l Electronique et des TIC (SEE).
The Symposium attracted practitioners in engineering, information technology, mathematics, medicine and biology, and other related disciplines, with authors from 24 countries. Besides the abstracts of the four plenary lectures, this volume contains the 92 papers that were presented by their authors at the Symposium
The papers included two invited keynote presentations given by internationally prominent and well-recognised research leaders: Claudio Cobelli, whose talk is titled "Dynamic modelling in diabetes: from whole body to genes"; and Irving J. Bigio, whose talk is titled "Elastic scattering spectroscopy for non-invasive detection of cancer." Two prestigious industrial speakers were also invited to give keynote presentations: Terry O'Brien from LIDCO, whose talk is titled "LIDCO: From the laboratory to protocolized goal directed therapy"; and Lorenzo Quinzio of Philips, whose talk is titled "Clinical decision support in monitoring and information systems."
* A valuable source of information on the state-of- the-art in Modelling and Control in Biomedical Systems
* Including abstracts of four plenary lectures, and 92 papers presented by their authors"

Maintaining quality of life in an ageing population is one of the great challenges of the 21st Century. This book and collection of illustrated CD lectures summarises how this challenge is being met by multi-disciplinary developments of specialty biomaterials, devices, artificial organs and in-vitro growth of human cells as tissue engineered constructs.
Biomaterials, Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering is intended for use as a textbook in a one semester course for upper level BS, MS and Meng students. The 25 chapters are organized in five parts: Part one provides an introduction to living and man-made materials for the non-specialist; Part two is an overview of clinical applications of various biomaterials and devices; Part three summarises the bioengineering principles, materials and designs used in artificial organs; Part four presents the concepts, cell techniques, scaffold materials and applications of tissue engineering; Part five provides an overview of the complex socio-economic factors involved in technology based healthcare, including regulatory controls, technology transfer processes and ethical issues. Each chapter is supplemented with illustrated Power Point lectures and study questions in an easy to use CD to aid the reader in self-paced instruction.
Comprehensive introduction to living and man-made materialsLooks at clinical applications of various biomaterials and devicesBioengineering principles, materials and designs used in artificial organs are summarised

The ongoing process of bio-evolution has produced materials which are perfectly adapted to fulfil a specific functional role. The natural world provides us with a multitude of examples of materials with durability, strength, mechanisms of programmed self-assembly and biodegradability.

The materials industry has sought to observe and appreciate the relationship between structure, properties and function of these biological materials. A multidisciplinary approach, building on recent advances at the forefront of physics, chemistry and molecular biology, has been successful in producing many synthetic structures with interesting and useful properties.

"Structural Biological Materials: Design and Structure-Property Relationships" represents an invaluable reference in the field of biological materials science and provides an incisive view into this rapidly developing and increasingly important topic within materials science.

This book focuses on the study of three sub-groups of structural biological materials:

Hard tissue engineering, focussing on cortical bone
Soft tissue engineering
Fibrous materials, particularly engineering with silk fibers.

The fundamental relationship between structure and properties, and certain aspects of design and engineering, are explored in each of the sub-groups. The importance of these materials, both in their intrinsic properties and specific functions, are illustrated with relevant examples. These depict the successful integration of material properties, architecture and shape, providing a wide range of optimised designs, tailored to specific functions.

Edited by Manuel Elices of the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain, this book is Volume 4 in the Pergamon Material Series.

"

"Bioceramics 10" contains the proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Ceramics in Medicine, held in Paris, France, in October 1997. These annual symposia bring together distinguished researchers in the fields of ceramics and medicine to exchange ideas and to discuss recent research results.

Bioceramics in medicine has become one of the more important fields of biomaterials. The clinical applications of bioceramics are numerous. In particular in areas such as orthopaedic surgery, dentistry and plastic surgery, but also E.N.T., percutaneous devices and embolisation materials. In addition to the many clinical applications, "Bioceramics 10" deals with a range of fundamental subjects in depth.

This book will be an essential reference tool for both clinicians, academics and industrial researchers interested in the use of ceramics in medicine. The book will also be of great value to students and lecturers in materials science, biomedical engineering and orthopaedics. This volume contains 140 papers, more than 200 high quality photographs, and both author and keyword indexes.

Energy, water, affordable healthcare and global warming are four major concerns resulting from resource depletion, record high oil prices, clean water shortages, high costs of pharmaceuticals, and changing climate conditions. Among many potential solutions, advance in membrane technology is one of the most direct, effective and feasible approaches to solve these sophisticated issues. This membrane book presents cutting-edge membrane research and development for water reuse and desalination, energy development including biofuels, CO2 capture, pharmaceutical purification and separation, and biomedical applications.

Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels: Synthesis, Characterization and Applications looks at the synthesis, characterization and application of polysaccharide-based materials in a broad array of fields. The book discusses the role of polysaccharides in the preparation of hydrogels, the use of hydrogel-based green materials, and their applications in biomedical applications, drug delivery, water purification techniques, food industries, agricultural fields, and pharmaceuticals applications. Written by leading experts in this field, this book will be a valuable reference for scientists, academicians, researchers, technologists, consultants and policymakers.

Nanostructured Materials for Tissue Engineering introduces the key properties and approaches involved in using nanostructured materials in tissue engineering, including functionalization, nanotechnology-based regenerative techniques, toxicological and biocompatible aspects. A broad range of nanomaterial types are covered, from polymer scaffolds and nanocomposites to gold nanoparticles and quantum dots. This book aids the reader in materials selection, as well as matching to the best applications, including bone, skin, pulmonary or neurological tissue engineering. Users will find this book to be an up-to-date review on this fast-changing field that is ideal for materials scientists, tissue engineers, biomedical engineers, and pharmaceutical scientists.

Bioengineered Nanomaterials for Wound Healing and Infection Control is a key reference for those working in the fields of materials science, pharmacy, nanotechnology, biomedical engineering and microbiology. Bioengineered nanomaterials have unique physicochemical properties which promote accelerated wound healing and treatment of infections. The biosynthesis of these nanomaterials also offers a clean, safe and renewable alternative to traditional nanomaterials, helping reduce environmental impact alongside antibacterial resistance.

Quantitative Perfusion MRI: Techniques, Applications, and Practical Considerations, Volume 11 clearly and carefully explains the basic theory and MRI techniques for quantifying perfusion non-invasively in deep tissue, covering all aspects of perfusion imaging, from acquisition requirements to selection of contrast agents and appropriate pharmacokinetic models and for reliable quantification in different diseases and tissue types. Specifically, this book enables the reader to understand what microvascular functional parameters can be measured with perfusion MRI, learn the basic techniques to measure perfusion in different organs, apply the appropriate perfusion MRI technique to the organ of interest, and much more. This complete reference on quantitative perfusion MRI is highly suitable for both early and experienced researchers, graduate students and clinicians wishing to understand how quantitative perfusion MRI can apply to their application area of interest.

Resident Stem Cells and Regenerative Therapy: Sources and Clinical Applications, Second Edition presents the main findings to date and the important factors to be considered when contemplating resident stem cells in regenerative therapies. Chapters on cardiac, brain, neural, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, bone, pancreatic, skin and lung resident stem cells will assist in defining the level of success that has been achieved and the direction for the road ahead. With contributions from leading laboratories, open questions related to resident stem cells and regenerative therapies will also be presented for debate. In the last several decades, stem cells have greatly impacted the scientific and lay communities, providing huge advances in the treatment of devastating human diseases, including myocardial infarction, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and osteoporosis. Alongside debates of induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells has been the discovery of adult stem cells in many different tissues. While these organ resident or progenitor stem cells offer prospects to contribute to tissue regeneration, they also present challenges because of the complexity of organ structures.

Polyurea: Synthesis, Properties, Composites, Production, and Applications is a comprehensive and practical guide to polyurea, a material used for its exceptional properties and performance in a range of high value industrial applications. Sections cover polyurea formulations and properties, comparing aromatic polyurea with aliphatic polyurea and computation modeling of properties for polyurea and polyurea composites. This is followed by in-depth coverage of synthesis, structure and production methods of polyurea, with the connections between production, performance and properties examined thoroughly. Other sections explain the preparation, characterization, modeling and applications of polyurea and polyurea composites with the required properties for specific advanced applications. Finally, environmental issues, recycling and future potential of polyurea are considered. This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students in polymer science, chemistry, composite science, civil engineering, materials science and mechanical engineering, as well as R&D professionals, engineers and industrial scientists with an interest in polyurea-based materials for advanced applications.

Distributed Computing to Blockchain: Architecture, Technology, and Applications provides researchers, computer scientists and data scientists with a comprehensive and applied reference covering the evolution of distributed systems computing into blockchain and associated systems such as consensus algorithms, distributed ledgers, DApps, byzantine fault tolerance, distributed databases and operating systems. Sections cover key concepts and technologies such as distributed systems and their architecture, distributed ledger and decentralized web, application and properties of crypto economics, blockchain crypto-analysis for distributed systems followed by DApps architecture. Other sections cover blockchain architecture and security, including smart contracts, tokens, and more. The authors then review byzantine fault tolerance (BFT), distributed ledgers vs. blockchains, and blockchain protocols. The security issues of blockchain and how it aims to resolve trust problems is also covered, along with consensus algorithms used in blockchain. Throughout the book, the presentation of key concepts is supported by real-world tools, algorithms, programming languages and technology to support the implementation of distributed ledger and blockchain in a variety of fields, including healthcare, finance, legal and business applications.

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery is a comprehensive guide to PLGA nanoparticles for targeting various diseases, covering principles, formation, characterization, applications, regulations and the latest advances. Sections introduce the fundamental aspects of PLGA nanoparticles for drug delivery, including properties, preparation methods, characterization, drug loading methods, and drug release mechanisms, along with a focus on applications. Application of PLGA nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory, cerebral, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases, as well as in regenerative medicine, photodynamic and photothermal therapy, and gene therapy, are all explained in detail. The final chapters explore recent advances and regulatory aspects. This book is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students across nanomedicine, polymer science, bio-based materials, chemistry, biomedicine, biotechnology, and materials engineering, as well as for industrial scientists and R&D professionals with an interest in nanoparticles for drug delivery, pharmaceutical formulations and regulations, and development of innovative biodegradable materials.