Biomaterials in medicine

The article is a minireview on the use of biomaterials in medicine. Biomaterials have a central role in biomedical industry, being required in a broad range of medical applications for the purpose of diagnosis, prevention and therapy. They are used in orthopedics, vascular therapy, trauma, esthetic surgery, ophthalmology, maxillo-facial surgery, cardiology, urology and neurology by being integrated in implants, devices, prosthesis and drug-delivery systems. The metallic alloys are considered dominant biomaterials The main metalic representatives are commercially pure titanium, titanium alloys (Ti-6AI-4V, Ti-6Al7Nb, Ti-5Al-2.5Fe), stainless steel (316 and 316 L), tantalum, Co-Cr- Mo alloys and Mg alloys. Bioceramics became a group of materials of great importance for maxillo-facial surgery and orthopedics. Polymeric materials have a growing medical importance. Due to their biocompatibility, similar resistance of cortical bone, good corrosion resistance in the physiological environment