Clinical Applications of Injectable Biomaterials

Regenerative medicine is an interdisciplinary field that aims to regenerate the lost or diseased tissues through the combinational use of cells, biomolecules and/or biomaterials. Injectable biomaterials have been comprehensively evaluated for use in this field for their prominent properties, such as ease of handling, providing a better integration of the native tissue by filling irregular defects and having controllable chemical and physical properties. This class of biomaterials can be developed from natural or synthetic origin materials, decellularized matrices or from combinations of materials to form composites. Injectable biomaterials enable minimally invasive approach when compared with traditional open surgeries, which can reduce the cost, and speed up the recovery time for the patients. Cells, growth factors and/or bioactive molecules can be effectively delivered to the target tissue using injectable biomaterials, making them desirable for a number of clinical applications. This chapter gives an overview on injectable biomaterials and their clinical applications in soft, hard, and cardiovascular tissue regeneration.