Biocompatibility

Biocompatibility is the ability of a material or device to perform its intended function in contact with living tissue without causing an unacceptable biological response.

Protein adsorption: The accumulation of proteins on a material surface from a surrounding fluid. Adsorbed proteins often determine which cells and immune components first interact with an implanted material.
Medical device: An instrument, apparatus, implant, or other article intended for medical purposes. Biocompatibility is evaluated in relation to a device’s intended medical use.
Orthopedic implant: A device implanted to replace, support, or stabilize bones and joints. Bone fixation and joint replacement depend on compatible materials and reliable tissue interaction.
Bioinertness: The relative absence of direct biological interaction between a material and its surroundings. Biocompatibility can require active tissue interaction, whereas bioinertness emphasizes minimal response.
Foreign body reaction: A chronic inflammatory and wound-healing response to an implanted material that can produce a fibrous capsule. This response can isolate an implant and limit its intended function.
Implant: A medical device or material placed within the body for a sustained period. Implants make long-term tissue contact a central design concern.
Vascular stent: A small tube inserted into a blood vessel to keep it open. A stent must function in blood while avoiding harmful clotting and vessel injury.
Biodegradability: The ability of a material to break down through biological or environmental processes. Degradation products and changing material properties can affect compatibility over time.
Hemocompatibility: The compatibility of a material or device with blood, including its effects on clotting and blood cells. Blood-contacting devices face a distinctive set of compatibility challenges.
Inflammation: A coordinated immune response to injury, infection, or irritation in tissue. Inflammation is a common response used to judge how tissue reacts to materials.

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