Biomaterials: applications----innovations----principles: the contributions of C. William Hall

Bill Hall has always had practical goals and objectives, be it an artificial heart, a cardiac assist device, a percutaneous lead, an artificial skin, or a direct skeletal attachment endoprosthesis. Always a careful analysis of the problem, with a keen understanding and appreciation of the biologic and physiologic nature and properties of the tissues with which he was working and must interface, led to innovative approaches which permitted him to work with, rather than against, natural biologic forces and processes. Bill Hall's understanding and practical successes have led to a set of principles that will help guide the education and development of future generations of biomaterial scientists and engineers, and through them and their medical coworkers, the development and application of devices and methods for patient treatment.