This volume summarizes recent developments in the use of new materials and technologies in healthcare. The emphasis is on new approaches that incorporate bioactive materials and scaffolds with cells in the emerging technologies of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The incorporation of nanotechnology, stem cells, and gene control of cells is included in the current research discussed. Clinical applications are described throughout the volume, along with economic and bioethics issues. The chapters are organized into four sections of clinical needs and an overview that summarizes the technologies that provide new approaches to clinical problems. The clinical areas addressed are Skeletal and Skin Repair, Heart and Cardiovascular Repair, Neuronal Repair, and Sensory Repair. The chapters were written by a multidisciplinary group of authors from six universities: the University of Arizona (US), the University of Central Florida (US), Imperial College London (UK), King's College, Guy's Hospital, University of London (UK), University of Florida (US) and Kyoto University (Japan). This book can be used as a reference book or as a textbook for advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in bioengineering, biomaterials or healthcare management.
