Biocompatibility of Modern Biomaterials

When biomaterials were inert it was simple to think of biomaterials in terms of the absence of inflammation or the absence of thrombi. Now, with 

The dilferences in Table II are intended as broad generalities and readers can easily come up with exceptions or questions about what is meant by a biologically active material. For example, is the action of a drug delivery device always local or is a nanoparticle large and a DNA drug small. Thus these characteristics must be interpreted and ringed with qualifiers to be strictly correct. 

Action is local Action may be systemic, with side-effects a critical concern 

Subject to foreign body reaction, Inflammation rarely a consideration 

Interact across a cell membrane Act through a cell surface receptor or intracellularly 

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A promising recent approach for understanding the biologic effects of biomaterials is the use of modern proteomics approaches. Such techniques have been used for the purpose of measuring protein expression profiles of macrophages (cultured on different biomaterials) to learn more about biocompatibility. Proteomics techniques were able to demonstrate that different types of polyurethane materials led to different intracellular and structural protein expression profiles.73... 

Biopolymers are an essential element in improving human health and quality of life. The wide spectrum of physical, mechanical, and chemical properties provided by polymers has increased the extensive research, development, and applications of polymeric biomaterials. The significance of polymers as biomaterials is reflected in the market of medical polymers, estimated to be approximately 1 billion. Many of these polymers were initially developed as plastics, elastomers, and fibers for nonmedical industrial applications. However, they were later developed as biomedical-specific materials. Currently, with rapid growth in modern biology and interdisciplinary collaborative research, polymeric biomaterials are being widely used in pharmaceutical technology with excellent biocompatibility [33]. 

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