Biomaterials – a history of 7000 years

Abstract

Prosthetic devices have existed for centuries. Originally prosthetics were simply replacements for missing limbs, but now they help people have extremely active lives. Such improvements have been made possible because of new surgical techniques, advancement of components for making prosthetics, and creative engineering ideas. In this article we will attempt to provide an insight to the history of prosthetics and some of the surgical techniques employed, albeit very basic. Mythological tales prove that some revered gods and goddesses of ancient cultures could have a handicap. We then develop the disabling causes in old civilisations going from legs and foot prostheses to arm and hand prostheses. For these limb replacements, we give examples of famous amputees. We then consider the head as a favorite place for implants and prostheses and develop trepanation with skull implants, eye and nose prostheses to finally treat the large domain of dental restorations.

Engineering Three-Dimensional Tumor Models to Study Glioma Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Microenvironment

“…To overcome these limitations, a great variety of 3D models or biocomplexes incorporating biomaterials and different tumor cells have been studied (Chang et al, 2010 ; Shafiee and Atala, 2016 ). Biomaterials are synthetic or natural nontoxic elements that can be engineered to obtain specific physicochemical characteristics; this attribute makes them a perfect fit to create biomimetic platforms able to resemble the 3D TME (Hildebrand Hartmut, 2013 ). Current technologies allow for recreating controlled patterns and stiffness properties of the ECM, which might provide the required microenvironment for CSCs to mimic their in vivo behavior (Shafiee and Atala, 2016 ).…”

High Entropy Alloys for Medical Applications

“…From this viewpoint, obtaining a high corrosion resistance of the implanted metals, which work under physiological corrosion conditions over long periods of time, became a major concern. The excellent corrosion resistance of HEA TiZrNbTaMo in corrosive environments, comparable to that of the Ti6Al4V, was due to the passivation effects of the surface and to achieve high stability to the pitting phenomenon [21][22][23][24][25][26]. In general, the biomaterial-made implantable elements are aimed at improving and extending the patients' lives.…”

“…Some of the heat treatments applied to high entropy alloys can either lead to hardening effects or to an increased plasticity and toughness, depending on the value of the heating temperature, on the actual duration of holding at those temperatures as well as on the cooling mode. The effects of heat treatments on macro-and microstructure depending on temperature are very interesting and suggestive [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. The dendritic morphology specific to cast alloys is unaffected if the holding temperature does not exceed 1040°C.…”

Global trends in the development of complex, personalized, biomedical, surgical implant devices using 3D printing/additive manufacturing: A review

“…The use of stones, shells, wood, bone, ivory and iron and copper for surgical implants (especially teeth) dates back more than 4000 years (Hildebrand, 2013; Howland, 2018). The use of metal and alloy surgical implants for various bone repair and replacement was introduced around the end of the 19th century following the development of x‐radiology and the discovery of anaesthetics and antiseptics to reduce infection.…”