Biomaterials Applied to Medical Devices and Pharmacy

Biomaterials have been utilized in healthcare applications a number of times. Nowadays, subsequent evolution and the increase in the life expectancy of world’s population have made biomaterials more attractive and versatile, and have increased their utility. Concerning the manufacturing of medical devices and pharmacy, the development of new biomaterials, new manufacturing methods and techniques has always been the researchers’ focus. Recently, nanotechnology and nanomedicine have attracted a great deal of attention, which would further enhance the use of biomaterials in medical devices and pharmacy. In the development of medical devices and pharmacy, the selection of the proper material to be used is of utmost importance. This chapter aims to provide a review of the most used biomaterials. After an explanation of what biomaterials are and what defines them, a more in-depth approach to the major types of biomaterials is presented, such as metal, polymer, ceramic, and composites; also, the advantages and disadvantages of biomaterials, their main characteristics, and preferred applications in the area of medical devices and pharmacy are discussed.

Keywords: Biodegradable, Biomaterial, Ceramic, Composite, Drug delivery, Material, Medical devices, Medicine, Metal, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology, Pharmacy, Polymer, Tissue, Treatment.