Composite Biomaterials for Bone Grafting and Other Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Composite materials are made of two different materials that have distinct physical and chemical properties. Composites find applications in various engineering domains as they offer improved material properties, such as better strength and lower stiffness, over their constituent materials. The use of composites in biomedical engineering has grown rapidly over the last few decades. To replace and/or repair damaged tissues and/or organs, various implants and grafting/substitute materials are required that should ideally have unique mechanical characteristics matching the concerned host tissue. Composite materials are preferred over traditional biomaterials such as metals, ceramics, and polymers in many healthcare-related applications. In this article, an overview of composite materials in various biomedical engineering applications is discussed, highlighting the latest developments and future trends. First of all, the structure and composition of natural composite materials in the human body are presented along with cellular responses observed in composite materials when implanted. Characterization and fabrication techniques of composite materials are highlighted next. Thereafter, the use of composite materials in several hard- and soft-tissue applications are elaborated.