The biomaterials community has long needed a general textbook suitable for undergraduate students and beginning graduate students with no previous experience in the field. Biornaterials: An lntroducfion is written for students who want an introduction to and a working knowledge in the field of implant materials.
The book comprises twelve chapters with the first seven dealing with the structure and characterization of metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers, and native macromolecules. The last five chapters present information on tissue and blood response to biomaterials with special emphasis on soft and hard tissue replacement. The book contains informative figures and tables and the many references cited provide a good introduction to the primary literature. Of special note are the many problems and examples which have been included to increase the familiarity of the reader with specific problems in the field of implants.
The author has made a special effort to condense factual information in the many diversified areas of biomaterials into a readable text of 230 pages. In the chapter on biological materials, too much emphasis has been placed on mechanical properties and no information is providhd on implants of current interest such as porcine heart valves or vein grafts. For example, Figure 10-1, Two Routes for Blood Clot Formation, does not adequately present the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation cascades.
Although several areas in the field of biomaterials are not adequately represented in this textbook, the author is to be commended for providing an introductory text on biomaterials-a not insignificant task considering the nature of the field. This text is recommended to students in biomaterials, bioengineering, and the life sciences who wish to obtain a more comprehensive knowledge of the field.