Annual Conference and Expo on Biomaterials

Biomaterials can be derived either from nature or synthesized in the laboratory using a variety of chemical approaches utilizing metallic components, polymers, composite materials or ceramic. It is often used and/or adapted for a medical application and thus comprises whole or part of a living structure or biomedical device. It performs augments or replaces a natural function. Such functions may be benign, like being used for a heart valve, or may be bioactive with a more interactive functionality such as hydroxyl-apatite coated with hip implants. For example, a construct with impregnated pharmaceutical products can be placed into the body, which permits the prolonged release of a drug over an extended period of time. A biomaterial may also be an auto graft, allograft or xenograft used as a transplant material.