Chapter 14 - Biocompatible and biodegradable materials in medical applications

Abstract

The demand for biocompatible and biodegradable materials in medical applications has become the latest trend with a growing concern for human well-being and safety and decreasing the risk of environmental depletion. These so-called ``green'' and environmentally approachable materials are most likely originated from a by-product or living things wastes, including animals, plants, algae, and microorganisms. Due to the current inclination on eco-conscious society, these natural materials have become excellent sustainable alternatives minimizing human dependence on fossil-based origins. Increasing knowledge in healthcare technology has made natural-based materials engineered into various functional medical applications for wound treatment, pharmaceuticals, organ implants, blood tubes, pacemakers, bone plates, sutures, and artificial organs in tissue engineering, which are primarily crucial for healing purposes. Due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability characteristics, its usage as medical appliances must complement the human body and system without stimulating the immunogenic effect. Its biodegradable feature that is naturally broken down and decomposes merited them to be advantageous and reliable in medical applications, concurrently protecting our natural surroundings. Therefore, this book chapter highlights various types of medical-friendly material originated from nature, converted into various medical appliances for various applications, and the limitations that hindered them in the healthcare industry.