Bio-materials science and technology

Materials in current use resulting from clinical acceptance are reviewed. Requirements for a bio-material are considered and problem areas still awaiting solution are identified. These include fatigue, wear, corrosion and adverse tissue effects. The question of relating the structure of materials to their in-vivo properties and the application of this to development of bio-materials is next considered. The properties of the tissues and the way in which newer materials are better adapted to the dynamic properties of these is discussed and future developments are considered in the light of this.