Introduction

Abstract

The word biomaterials can be interpreted in two ways—first, as such biological materials as tissues and wood; and second, as implant materials that replace the function of the biological materials. According to its legal definition (Clemson Advisory Board for Biomaterials “Definition of the word ‘Biomaterials,’” the Sixth Annual International Biomaterial Symposium, April 20–24, 1974), “a biomaterial is a systemically, pharmacologically inert substance designed for implantation within or incorporation with living systems.” This definition clearly emphasizes biomaterial as an implant material, although the conventional usage of the prefix “bio-” (in biochemistry, biophysics, and bioassay, for example) is violated. To avoid confusion I will use the term “biomaterials” to mean implants replacing biological materials. In this definition, implantable biomaterial includes anything that is intermittently or continuously exposed to body fluids even though it may be actually located outside the body proper. It includes most dental materials, although traditionally they have been treated as separate entities. Such devices as external artificial limbs, hearing aids, and external facial “prostheses” are not implants.