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This surgical mesh is made of a naturally occurring biopolymer that has been chemically engineered to maintain its strength until it is absorbed by the body after healing has occurred. Courtesy Tepha, Inc.

Ingenious advances in nearly every aspect of modern medicine have been achieved through the use of biocompatible materials developed by the chemical-engineering community. These discoveries have helped extend and enhance our quality of life, improve disease diagnosis and treatment, and ease pain and suffering.

In the field of biomedicine, chemical engineers focus their efforts on the discovery and optimization of biocompatible materials. For use within the human body these specialized materials must be

• Nontoxic,
• Well tolerated, and
• Damage and degradation resistant.

Turning materials into medical marvels

Among the wide variety of biocompatible materials that have been developed for use today, those used in vivo, or inside the body, include the following:

• Vascular grafts used to repair or reinforce existing veins and arteries (fabricated from specialized polyester, they are lightweight yet strong);
• Stents used to facilitate drainage and reinforce weak arterial tissue (they are fabricated from specialized stainless-steel alloys that are both strong and lightweight);
• Spinal, cardiovascular, and ophthalmic implant devices made from a variety of specialized polymers, ceramics, and metals; and
• Artificial knees and hips (fabricated from combinations of biocompatible polymers and surgical titanium, they are rugged yet still highly flexible).

In addition to in vivo materials significant breakthroughs have also been made in materials used in vitro, or outside of the body, such as dialysis membranes used in artificial kidney machines.

For patients who have regained comfort, flexibility, and mobility and have seen their quality of life and their prospect for longevity increase, these pioneering materials breakthroughs are truly miracles of modern medicine.

Getting drugs to where they work best

Chemical engineers have also led the way in creating innovative materials that have been used to deliver drugs more effectively. The goal is to improve the precise targeting and delivery of therapeutic agents to maximize the efficacy of the drug while minimizing any potential side effects. These inventions range from the common gel cap to complex controlled-release mechanisms that use tiny hollow spheres made from specialized polymers.