Nineteen cutting-edge articles by leading practitioners review critical issues concerning biocompatible materials-polymers, metals, and other materials-used in or on the human body. Topics range from biopolymers used in controlled release drug delivery systems and synthetic burn-wound dressings to specific orthopedic devices. Each application-oriented article integrates basic science, engineering and medical experience with discussions of quality control. The contributors offer a wealth of valuable data and experience to materials scientists, research engineers, and academic physicians and surgeons. Their many examples provide rich insights into our experience today with a broad spectrum of modern biomaterials applications.

I. Biomaterials and Biocompatibility Studies.- 1 Biomaterials and Their Biocompatibilities.- 2 Bacterial Adhesion to Biomaterial Surfaces.- 3 Fine Structure-Property Relationships of Biomedical Ion-Containing Polymers.- II. Case Studies of Orthopedic Biomaterials.- 4 Bone-Inducing Factors in Osteoinductive Implants.- 5 Biopolymer Alloy for Surgical Plates.- 6 Biological Response to Particulate Debris from Nonmetallic Orthopedic Implants.- 7 Calcium Hydroxyapatite in Total Joint Arthroplasty.- 8 Bone Cement, Part 1: Biopolymer for Avulsive Maxillofacial Repair.- 9 Bone Cement, Part 2: Biomaterials to Restore Function in People with Physical Disabilities.- III. Biomedical Applications of Biomaterials.- 10 Biomaterial Considerations for Cardiac Prostheses.- 11 Plastic Materials for External Prostheses and Orthoses.- 12 Biomaterials in Vascular Surgery.- 13 Biomaterials in Ophthalmology.- 14 Multiphasic or "Pulsatile" Controlled Release System for the Delivery of Vaccines.- IV. Functional Biomaterials.- 15 Skin Repair with Cultured Cells and Biopolymers.- 16 Slow Release of an LHRH Analog to Reduce Serum Testosterone.- 17 Regulation of Vascular Graft Healing by Induction of Tissue Incorporation.- 18 Tissue Regeneration by Use of Analogs of Extracellular Matrix.- 19 In Vitro and In Vivo Release of Naltrexone from Two Types of Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Matrices.