BEN 341 - Biomaterials

Course Objectives

Provide an understanding of the needs, uses and limitations of materials and devices to repair, replace or augment the living tissues and organs of the human body.
Establish the biomechanical principles and biological factors involved in achieving long-term stability of replacement parts for the organs of the human body
Analyze the principles and applications of engineering of tissues
Examine the industrial, governmental and ethical issues involved in use of artificial materials and devices in humans.
Enhance the student’s awareness of the complex multi- disciplinary nature of the fields of biomedical materials, biomechanics, total joint replacements, artificial organs and tissue engineering.

Course Description

Introduction to materials science, structure-property-processing relationship, classification of materials, introduction to biomaterials and background concepts (bioinert, bioactive materials), metallic, polymeric, ceramic, natural and composite biomaterials, bioinert and bioactive ceramics and glass-ceramics, porous and dense hydroxyapatite, characterization of biomaterials.