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Biomimetic Approaches for Biomaterials Development Innovation inspired by Nature

Biomimetics involves studying the structure and function of biological systems to model the design and construction of materials and devices.  (Karma M, et al. 2010)

Schnittmengengrafik Biomimetik

We apply biomimetic principles to create novel bioactive materials, focusing on biofunctional surfaces, interfaces with biological tissues, and structures that actively stimulate or promote desired biological responses—without requiring pharmacologically active agents.

The properties of implantable medical devices are crucial to ensure integration with surrounding tissues and support healing. These properties are categorized into macrostructure, microstructure, and surface characteristics, all of which impact a medical device's regenerative potential.

Screw

Macrostructural Properties

Macrostructural properties encompass the physical form, structure, and design of medical devices, including geometry, porosity, and mechanical properties like stiffness and elasticity. For example, a pore size of 100–400 μm is considered optimal for bone implants, enhancing cell migration and proliferation.

Makrostruktur

Microstructural Properties

Microstructural properties cover the organization and behavior of material components on the microscopic level, influencing cell adhesion, tissue ingrowth, wear resistance, and corrosion. This includes features like micro-roughness, surface structuring, and nanotopography. For cardiovascular implants, nanotopography significantly impacts protein adhesion and cell interactions, helping to reduce thrombosis and infection risks.

Surface properties are critical in mediating interactions between the medical device and tissues, encompassing surface chemistry, coating, biocompatibility, and degradation behavior. Attributes like hydrophilicity, surface charge, and specific functional groups impact cell adhesion and bioactivity. Calcium phosphate coatings, for example, enhance osteointegration (Coathup et al., 2001). By controlling surface composition and microstructure, we can tailor solubility and resistance to corrosion, especially in physiological environments. Materials must exhibit high biocompatibility and be either biodegradable or durable, depending on the application.