Biomaterials
Viewpoints
2023
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September:
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July:
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June:
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May:
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April:
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March:
Brain—Computer Interface Achieves Record Vocabulary-Decoding Speed
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February:
The United States Removes Animal-Testing Requirements for Drugs
2022
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December/January:
2022: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2023 -
November:
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2021
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December/January:
2021: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2022 -
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February:
Repairing Damaged Brain Cells with Extracellular Vesicles
Biomaterials Development: Necessary Resources
Archived Viewpoints
2020
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December/January:
2020: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2021 -
November:
Dual-Mode Electronic Skin
Commercial Development Parameters for Biomaterials: Competing Technologies -
October:
Improving Cancer Surgery
Biomaterials Development: Synergistic Technologies -
September:
Magnetoactive Scaffolds That Generate Bone Tissue
Enabling Technologies: Nanomaterials -
August:
Developments in Chimeras
Area to Monitor: Regenerative Medicine -
July:
Polymeric Biomaterials as Pericardium Replacements
Big Picture: Biomimicry in Biomaterials Development -
June:
The Pandemic Crisis: Scenarios for the Future of Health Care
Scenarios Presentation: The Pandemic Crisis: Scenarios for the Future of Technology Development
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May:
The Pandemic Crisis: Key Forces That Will Shape the Future of Health Care
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April:
Bioinspired Adhesives for Cardiovascular Medicine
Area to Monitor: Bioelectronic Medicine -
March:
The Biological Internet of Things
Innovations in Biorobotics -
February:
Microfluidic Chip for Brain Tumors
Area to Monitor: Gene Editing
2019
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December/January:
2019: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2020 -
November:
Ultrasmall Neural Implants
Devices for Congenital Heart Defects -
October:
Gold-Silica Nanoshells for Cancer Treatment
Pixium Vision's Retinal Implant -
September:
Magnesium Microresonators for Medical Devices
Advances in Bioprinting and Tissue Engineering -
August:
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July:
Membrane for Periodontal Repair
Dynamic Biomaterials for Tissue Repair -
June:
Bioabsorbable Mesh Envelope
Developing a Batteryless Pacemaker -
May:
Biomaterial for Corneal Repair
Drug-Delivery System for High-Dosage Medication -
April:
Advance in Xenotransplants: Replacement Skin
Testing of Medical Devices: Is It Adequate? -
March:
Developments in Microneedle Patches
A Stent That Assists in Suturing -
February:
Brain Imaging through Quantum Dots
Intraocular-Pressure-Sensor Implant
2018
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December/January:
2018: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2019 -
November:
Stent Diversification
Novel Materials to Assist Wound Healing -
October:
Islet-Cell Transplantation without Immunosuppressant Therapy
Abandoning Mesh Implants -
September:
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August:
Wireless Powering of Devices
Monitoring Gut Health with Encapsulated Bacteria -
July:
Diagnostic Device That Uses Cells
Reprogramming Cells to Repair the Heart -
June:
Cancer Treatment with Slow-Release Hydrogel
Tax, Tariffs, and Regulation -
May:
Treating Arthritis with a Symptom-Responsive Hydrogel
Surface Modification Using Peptides -
April:
Biomaterials in Imaging
Rani Therapeutics's Oral Delivery of Biologics -
March:
Adding Metal Ions Helps Resist Infection
Pressure Sensor That Degrades in the Body -
February:
Bioresorbable Stents: Awaiting Further Development
New Surgical Sealants
2017
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December/January:
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November:
Improving Bone Regeneration with Peptide Amphiphile Nanofibers
Use of Photosensitive Silicon Nanowires in a Retinal Implant
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October:
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September:
Stretchy Material to Assist in Abdominal Surgery
A Stretchable Conductive Polymer -
August:
A Superhemophobic Material
Biomimetic Replacement Heart Valve -
July:
Soft Robotic Device for the Heart
Next-Generation Cartilage Repair -
June:
Sensitivity to Metal in Joint Implants
Developments in Blocking Fibrosis around Implants -
May:
Using Hydrogels to Make Implantable Micromachines
A Biodegradable Mesh for Nerve Repair -
April:
Innovation in Coronary Stents
Therapeutic Vaccination by Means of Nanodiscs -
March:
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February:
Opportunities for Graphene in Biomedicine
Developing Modified Forms of Silk
2016
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December/January:
2016: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2017 -
November:
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October:
Hydrogels for Heart Repair
Extending the Lifetime of Bioactive Films -
September:
Titanium-Gold Alloy for Implants
Using a Slippery Surface to Facilitate Cell Transfer -
August:
Ingestible Robot Retrieves and Patches
Biologically Integrated Sensors -
July:
Synthetic-Cartilage Device Closer to US Launch
Transformable Shapes Using 4D Printing -
June:
Titanium Nanotube Surface for Implants
Complex Skin Tissue Grown in the Laboratory -
May:
Opportunities in Smart Contact Lenses
Surface Patterning on Tissue-Regeneration Scaffolds -
April:
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March:
Extended Drug Release in the Stomach
Players in Orthopedics Ramp Up Use of 3D Printing -
February:
Injectable Electronics in Neuroscience Research
Developing Monitoring Technology
2015
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December/January:
2015: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2016 -
November:
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October:
Monitoring Heart Failure with an Implantable Device
Nanosponges That Trap Toxins -
September:
Substrates for Neural Devices
The Manufacture of Red-Blood Cells Is Moving Closer -
August:
Optogenetics: Shining a Light on Cells
Value for Money: Pressure on Device Manufacturers -
July:
Magnesium-Alloy Micro Clip
Bioprinted Tissue for Pharma Testing -
June:
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May:
3D Printing for Customized Medical Products
Light Activation of Signaling Peptides -
April:
Bioartificial Pancreas in Clinical Trials
New Directions for Medical-Research Funding -
March:
Flexible Electrodes Help Patients with Spinal Injury
Micromotors and Their Use in the Stomach -
February:
Stem-Cell-Therapy Success
Red-Blood Cells Carry Therapeutic Cargo
2014
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December/January:
2014: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2015 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
Changing the Way Dentists Repair Tooth Cavities
Pacemakers: Smaller and Wireless -
June:
The Changing Nature of US Patent Law
A Rocky Road for India's Expanding Health-Care Market -
May:
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April:
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February:
2013
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December/January:
2013: The Year in Review
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2012
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December/January:
2012: The Year in Review
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November:
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October:
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September:
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Biomaterials in Cosmetic Procedures and Reconstructive Surgery
2011
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December/January:
2011: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2012 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
Cardiovascular Medicine: Regenerating the Heart and Bioabsorbable Stents
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June:
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May:
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April:
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February:
2010
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December/January:
2010: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2011 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
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June:
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May:
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April:
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March:
Commercial Tissue and Organ Bioprinter
Metallic Glass as a Biomaterial -
February:
2009
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December/January:
2009: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2010 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
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June:
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May:
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March:
Is Stem-Cell Therapy Poised to Change the Biomaterials Market?
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February:
2008
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December/January:
2008: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2009 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
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June:
Developments in Control of Biofilms on Implants
Blood Transfusions: A Good Policy? -
May:
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April:
The Drugs Don't Work: The Growing Market for Neurotechnology
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March:
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February:
2007
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December/January:
2007: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2008 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
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June:
A Review of Biomaterials and Ocular Implants: From Contact Lenses to Bionic Eyes
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May:
Nanomaterials and Medicine: Device Coatings, Implantable Devices, and Drug Delivery
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April:
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March:
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February:
2006
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December/January:
2006: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2007 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
Bio-Inspired Design
Developing Biomedical Materials in the Netherlands -
July:
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June:
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May:
Concerns about Nanotoxicology
Recent Developments: Approval for Inhaled Insulin -
April:
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February:
2005
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December/January:
2005: The Year in Review
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November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
Bill Gates and Drug-Delivery Systems
Bacteria as Therapeutics or Delivery Systems -
June:
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May:
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April:
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March:
Fully Mature Blood Cells from Cord Blood
Sensory and Neural Implants -
February:
2004
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December/January:
2004: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2005 -
November:
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October:
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September:
Recent Acquisition in the Biomedical Industry
Recent Developments: Battery Developments -
August:
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July:
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June:
Artificial Liver
Recent Developments: Appetite Control | Novel Biomaterials -
May:
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April:
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March:
From Dental Repair to Tooth Regeneration
Recent Developments: Sensors in Medical Implants -
February:
2003
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December/January:
2003: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2004 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
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June:
Recent Developments: Sensor Technology | Cardiovascular Devices
Players: Players Update -
May:
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April:
Recent Developments: Scaffolding Developments | Improving Replacement Joints
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March:
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February:
2002
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December/January:
2002: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2003 -
November:
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October:
Next-Generation Stents
Recent Developments: Nonanimal Testing -
September:
Trends in Biocompatibility Testing and Regulation in the United States
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2001
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December/January:
2001: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2002 -
November:
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October:
Regulation of Tissue-Engineered Products
Drug Delivery: Polymers and Microfabrication -
September:
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April:
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March:
Recent Developments: Stem Cells and Cell Therapy; Implant Materials; Total-Hip-Replacement Registry
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February:
2000
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December/January:
2000: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2001 -
November:
Recent Developments: Cell Therapy; Polyvinylalcohol Nanocomposite; Biomedical Nanotechnology
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1999
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December/January:
1999: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 2000 -
November:
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October:
Hydrogel Applications in Medicine
Recent Developments: High-Strength Polymer; Heart-Valve Polymer -
September:
Finance, Mergers, and Acquisitions
Recent Developments: Computer Modeling -
August:
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Before August 1999, the Explorer service was called TechMonitoring, and Viewpoints were TechLinks.
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July:
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June:
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May:
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April:
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March:
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February:
Repairing Neural Damage
Implanting Neural Prosthetic Devices
1998
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December/January:
1998: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 1999 -
November:
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October:
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August:
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Tissue Engineering
Recent Developments: Advance in Biocompatability of Implants
1997
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December/January:
1997: The Year in Review
Look for These Developments in 1998 -
November:
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October:
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September:
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August:
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July:
About Biomaterials
Biomaterials are substances (including polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites) that form part of a living structure or medical device or that are themselves wholly a medical device. Biomaterials can treat or substitute for biological functions that disease or injury or other conditions have impaired, or they can serve an aesthetic function in elective cosmetic procedures to alter appearances. In short, biomaterials can directly repair, augment, or replace the biological function. New R&D, testing methods, and manufacturing processes can lower the cost of developing new biomaterials. New breakthroughs in biocompatible materials and coatings can markedly lower the risk of device failure or adverse immune reactions to the structure or device. Improved devices and drug-delivery systems can improve individuals' health and lower long-term treatment costs to consumers and insurers. Broader markets, industry changes, population demographics, supply chains, health-care financing, tort reform/product-liability legislation, and international regulatory standards will all have a major impact on the profitability of biomaterials. This Technology Map examines how changes and developments in materials, medical and surgical techniques, user demands, regulations, and industry structure can provide opportunities for biomaterials developers to establish products in a still fast-growing market for medical products.
Biomaterials already see use in a range of established medical applications, including implants to replace diseased joints, surgical-repair materials such as sutures and repair meshes, and tissue such as breast implants. For these established products, continuing R&D will improve key requirements, such as more durable joint implants. Such developments improve medical outcomes for patients, differentiate broadly similar products, and enable manufacturers to gain competitive advantage. Further developments in biomaterials' design and biocompatibility will enable production of novel implant structures. Biomaterials also make a significant contribution in the fast-growing field of drug‑delivery systems. Biomaterials have properties that enhance drug delivery and provide technologies for alternative release mechanisms. Finely tuned drug delivery is possible with the support of biomaterials, particularly for the growing range of medical devices and implants that can deliver superior performance with improved biointegration with the surrounding tissue.
Regenerative medicine offers patients products that repair or replace malfunctioning or worn-out tissues. Numerous applications for biomaterials in regenerative medicine are emerging in response to the aging population of the more economically advanced countries. Regenerative medicine will also benefit people with autoimmune and early-onset degenerative diseases and people who require treatment for trauma injuries. The first products (synthetic and natural biomaterial scaffolds to enable tissue repair and regeneration) were available commercially in 2000, but products such as tissue-engineered blood vessels are unlikely to be on the market until the late 2020s, with major organ replacements not likely for at least another ten years thereafter. For the foreseeable future, biomaterials will have an important place in medical technologies. Biomaterials have no shortage of potential applications in implants, medical devices, and drug-delivery systems. However, in the future, established biomaterials will face competition from stem-cell technology, which has the potential for "natural" repair and replacement of tissues and organs (that do not use biomaterials). Several treatments are in clinical trials in the United States and Europe, and therapies are already available in regions such as Asia and Latin America, where their entry to market faces less regulatory scrutiny. Three main factors constrain the expansion of the biomaterials market: the high costs of development and achievement of regulatory approval, availability of funds to pay for more sophisticated and expensive health care, and the specter of litigation following failure.