Biomedical Engineering

1. Introduction to materials for biomedical use. Concepts and definitions of biomaterial, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and bioinertness. Interactions between materials and biological systems. Biodegradability. 2. Properties of materials and surfaces for biomedical use and their characterization: surface and bulk chemical properties, thermal properties. Morphological characterization using SEM and AFM microscopy. 3. Mechanical properties of materials. Tensile and compression mechanical testing. 4. Polymeric materials and coatings for biomedical use: classification and typical properties, polymerization mechanisms, physical state, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, main polymers used in biomedical applications, biodegradable polymers. 5. Ceramic materials and coatings for biomedical use: structure and properties; bioinert, bioactive, and bioresorbable ceramics; preparation of advanced and nanostructured ceramic biomaterials; deposition methods for thin ceramic coatings; bioceramics, bioglasses. 6. Carbon-based materials and coatings for biomedical use: carbon and its allotropic forms, deposition of pyrolytic carbon, biocompatibility and hemocompatibility of pyrolytic carbon. Carbon-based nanomaterials for drug delivery. 7. Composite materials for biomedical use: classification and properties, polymer matrix composites, carbon fibers and nanostructures as fillers. Composite materials in modern orthopedic medicine and prosthetic devices. 8. Natural-origin materials for biomedical applications: polysaccharides, proteins (collagen, fibrin, elastin), glycosaminoglycans, lipid structures (liposomes). Decellularized tissues for tissue engineering. 9. Regulations and biocompatibility testing of materials.

none

- Lecture notes/slides by the instructor (available in Google Classroom) - Ratner B. D., Hoffman A. S., et al., “Biomaterials Science: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine”, 3rd Ed., Academic Press, 2013 - Di Bello C., Bagno A., “Biomateriali. Dalla Scienza dei Materiali alle Applicazioni Cliniche”, 2nd Ed., Patron Editore, 2016

not mandatory

The oral exam will aim to verify the state of knowledge and ability of critical analysis of the topics covered during the lectures. The evaluation will be performed as follows (scores on a scale of 18-30): minimal knowledge (18-20); medium knowledge (21-23); sufficient knowledge and ability to apply it (24-25); good knowledge and ability to apply it (26-28); excellent knowledge and ability to apply it with good communication skills and critical thinking (29-30).

Lessons in classroom