Biophysical Characterization and Biocompatibility

Artificial materials designed for applications in biotechnologies and in medicine interact with the biological environment at their surface, making accurate biophysical characterization of the surface cmcially important for understanding 

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In the following, we will focus on biophysical characterization of material surfaces, especially on quantifying their interaction with proteins and cells, and on biological evaluation of biomaterials and medical devices by in vitro tests as a first step towards ensuring their biocompatibility. 

Biocompatibility as defined in Section 2.5 is a main prerequisite for the proper and safe use of medical devices consisting of a single material or material composition. In Section 4.5.1, it was demonstrated that the biophysical characterization of material surfaces only draws attention to some aspects of their response to biological systems. In order to assess biocompatibility for a device or a material, it is necessary to do a battery of tests depending on its intended use, with body contact ranging from transient skin contact to contact with blood to permanent implantation. Biocompatibihty is usually examined with three types of biological tests in vitro tests, animal experiments (in vivo tests), and clinical tests. 

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