Introduction

Biomaterial is a material that is used for medical purposes after the material has been
engineered to interact with biological system. It is used to replace or improve a
natural function.

Type of biomaterials
There are many types of biomaterials that are used in human bodies or any organism
systems which are:

1) Metals and alloys biomaterial

Metals are the prior materials used for load-bearing implants. For example, orthopedic
surgeries involve the implantation of metallic implant. The most reason for using
metals in that field is its properties. Since, it has high strength, resistance to fracture
and it gives reliable long term implant performance. The most metals and alloys used
in orthopedic medical devices are stainless steel, cobalt-based alloys, titanium-based
alloys and miscellaneous others (e.g. NiTi). These metals and alloys are used for hips,
knees, shoulders, ankles and so on.

2) Polymeric biomaterial

Also, polymers are widely used in medicine. The most desirable properties of
polymers are biodegradable, non-toxic and capable of attachment with other
molecules. In addition the most natural polymers are used as biomaterial are collagen,
chitosan and alginate.

3) Ceramic biomaterial

The class of ceramic which communally made of alumina or hydroxyapatite. They are
used for felling defects in the bone and tooth, fixing bone fracture and replacing
diseased tissue. Bioceramic materials have light weight, good wear resistant and high
biocompatibility which means the able to perform with an appropriate host response
in a certain application. In addition, the bioceramic materials can be categorized in to
three groups:

1- bioinert ceramic:
resist corrosion and wear.
High toughness and mechanical strength
Used as structural support such as, bone screw

2- bioactive ceramic:

strong chemical bond with tissue

Low toughness and mechanical strength
3- bio resorbable ceramic:
synthesized from natural or chemical
Common application of biomaterials
The biomaterial can be classified in many groups of its application. For example,
cardiovascular medical devices, bio electrodes and biosensors, burn dressings and
skin substitutes and dental materials are different application of biomaterials.

Cardiovascular medical devices

The materials used in this application are polymers and metals, such as
polytetrafluoroethylene and titanium. The common medical devices are endovascular
stents, stent grafts, heart valves and vascular grafts.

Bio electrodes and biosensors

The main function of this bio electrodes or sensors is transmit information into or out
of a body. The bio electrodes mainly used in application of the cardiology and
neurology. The biosensor used to measure biochemical or chemical concentration in
the body. Also, it can be used in medical or non-medical application. The common
material used in this application is Poly (methyl methacrylate), polypropylene and
silicone.

Burn dressings and skin substitutes

The use of this application is to substitute a skin that damage. Therefore, the material
should have certain characteristic that depend on where this materials put. For
example, this material should be long lasting, semipermeable to water, non-antigenic
and non-toxic, a bacterial barrier and elastic.

Dental materials

There are four groups of materials that are used in this

application which are metals, ceramics polymers and
composites. Also, the dental material can be divided
into two groups: preventive and restorative material.
The preventive dental materials are mainly used for
antibacterial effects and the restorative materials used
for prevention of the progression of tooth decay. The
restorative dental materials used to repair or replace
tooth structure because being consist of all synthetic
Figure 1 Tooth Repalcement
components. The figure 1 shows tooth replacement.
Sources:
1) http://www.asminternational.org/documents/10192/1849770/06974G_Chapter_1.p
df
2) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0927796X14001077
3) Biomaterials and Their Applications book , Hamid Reza Rezaie, Leila
Bakhtiari and Andreas chsner. Engineering and technology 2015.
4) International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Y. B. Chavan College of Pharmacy,
Aurangabad431001,Maharashtra, India,