Biofilms, Biomaterials, and Device-related Infections
The chapter “A History of Biomaterials” at the start of this
book documents the development and design of indwelling
materials for medical and dental purposes. The primary
design criteria in the choice of materials were pragmatic and
based on the necessary mechanical properties required to
fashion a functional device. Orthopedic implants require
strong materials for load bearing, articulating surfaces such
as joints require durability and resistance to wear, stents and
shunts require flexibility and patency, and sutures require a