Biomaterials (BME505)

This course is designed to give biomedical engineering students a comprehensive introduction to biomaterials used in implants and medical devices. This course reviews the properties, clinical significance, and regulatory implications of materials and devices relevant to their application to the human body. The course covers metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, natural biomaterials, soft and hard tissue implants and implant failure case studies. Project-based learning techniques are used with actual implant samples in class and labs to demonstrate real-world applications of biomaterials. Direct experience is obtained in the look and feel of actual biomaterial products, biomaterial characterization and functional device testing of implanted devices. Labs include bone screw tensile testing in bone, mesh characterization, endoscopic material handling, and a total knee implant friction project.