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Surgical disciplines as diverse as
ophthalmology, cardiology, neuromuscular surgery, orthopaedics and
dentistry have been transformed by the advent of the class of products
now familiarly known as biomaterials. In her recent eponymous book,
Prof Sujata Bhat of the Department of Chemistry, explores the
intricate yet fascinating world of biomaterials.
All biomaterials have one thing in common; they
must have intimate contact with human tissue or body fluids; that is,
provide a real physical interface. Biomaterials of one type or another
have been in clinical use for many years. But since 1960s, propelled
by advances in basic material sciences, there has been a great
proliferation of materials suited to in vivo use. Today, a very wide
spectrum of implanted devices ranging from simple sutures to totally
implantable artificial hearts are available.
During the initial period of
innovation, implants in human body were employed with little prior
testing. But the search for new, more reliable device demanded a more
rigorous scientific approach to the subject. As Prof. Bhat amply
demonstrates in her book, presently biomaterial science is engendering
technologies that are sophisticated indeed.
Good biocompatibility is
achieved when the material exists within a living body without
adversely or significantly affecting it, or is not affected by it.
Thus, a favoured biomaterial should combine the best of wide-ranging
properties: it must have adequate
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mechanical strength; its chemical and physical nature
must gel with the unique requirements of physiological
processes of the human body, and must possess pharmacological
compatibility vis-à-vis the human tissues. In her systematic
exposition, Prof. Bhat acquaints the reader with the multifarious
skills that are now required of a researcher in this area – which,
inter alia, encompasses knowledge of a whole range of techniques for
materials production, of assessment of strength and surface properties
of devices, and a grasp of in vitro and in vivo techniques for
biocompatibility evaluation.
The present book recounts various facets of the subject of
biomaterials over twelve chapters. A fair amount of the discourse
deals with the complex issue of structure and property relationship of
biomaterials. The applications of these materials in varied medical
devices have also been highlighted. And finally recent developments in
tissue engineering have been reviewed. Given its style and contents,
the book should be accessible to a wide readership, including
students, teachers, researchers and industry-personnel. Medical
professionals, and even the novitiate reader may also benefit by
reference to the book.
The author’s engagement with research on biomaterials has spanned over
more than a decade. “I hope that the extensive bibliography of the
book will be a guiding source for further research and developments in
the field,” says Prof. Bhat.
- Sandip Roy |
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