Lecture 1

Question 1

What is biomaterials?

Answer 1

A biomaterial is a material intended to interface with biological systems to evaluate, treat, augment, or replace any
tissue, organ, or function of the body.

Question 2

What did surgeons start using in the early ages?

Answer 2

Nylon because it was available to them

Question 3

When did sterility become prevalent?

Answer 3

WWI and WW2

Question 4

What was the new class of materials post WW2?

Answer 4

?metals

Question 5

What is biocompatibility?

Answer 5

The ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application

Question 6

What were early sutures made of in egypt?

Answer 6

linen

Question 7

What were early sutures made of in Europe?

Answer 7

Catgut

Question 8

What are modern absorbable sutures made of?

Answer 8

• Gut
• Polydioxanone (PDS)
• Poliglecaprone (MONOCRYL)
• Polyglactin (Vicryl)

Question 9

What are modern non-absorbable sutures made of?

Answer 9

• Nylon
• Polypropylene (Prolene)
• Silk
• Polyester (Ethibond)

Question 10

Who is Le Gallois and what did he do?

Answer 10

– French physiologist
– If heart=pump
– Then pump can be
replaced to keep
organs alive

Question 11

What characteristics do we have in contact lenses today that was not available years ago?

Answer 11

• Comfort
• Wear time
• Handling
• Cost
• Vision

Question 12

What was biomaterials like prior to WW2?

Answer 12

• Material designs were need-driven and most applications “external”
• DOGMA through 1950s
  – The body will NOT tolerate a foreign material
• Little or no concept of sterilization