Handbook of Biomaterial Properties

Progress in the development of surgical implant materials has been hindered by the lack of basic information available on the nature of the tissues, organs, and systems being repaired or replaced. However a great body of data has accumulated concerning the materials aspect of both implantable materials and natural tissues and fluids, broadly distributed in various publications, with varying degrees of accuracy and precision. This handbook draws together all the accepted data and information on the subject. Direction is given to the experts responsible for each contribution in this handbook to consider not merely the intrinsic and interactive properties of biomaterials, but also their appropriate (and in some cases not appropriate) applications as well as their historical context. The resulting text should prove useful to the researcher, student, bioengineer and practising physician.