BME 564Biocompatibility and Biomedical Design

The course covers fundamental topics of biocompatibility of materials in medicine (polymers, ceramics, metals, composites) in the areas of implantable, extracorporeal, and untethered medical devices. Biocompatibility issues of biomaterials, such as protein adsorption, foreign body reaction, immune and inflammatory response, and thrombosis will be presented. Biomaterial characterization, structure-property relationship, and surface modification will be discussed in the context of improving biocompatibility. Clinical applications and design strategies to reduce complications associated with medical devices will be explored.