This dictionary contains thousands of definitions from various related disciplines and minimizes the need for several dictionaries. The book defines everything from AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) to zymogen (proenzyme). The editor, an internationally recognized expert in the area of biomaterials, has combined knowledge from the fields of medicine, pharmacology, physiology, polymer chemistry, biochemistry, metallurgy, and organic chemistry.

This dictionary contains thousands of definitions from various related disciplines and minimizes the need for several dictionaries. The book defines everything from AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) to zymogen (proenzyme). The editor, an internationally recognized expert in the area of biomaterials, has combined knowledge from the fields of medicine, pharmacology, physiology, polymer chemistry, biochemistry, metallurgy, and organic chemistry.

There has been a rapid expansion of activity in the area of biomaterials and related medical devices, both in scientific terms and in clinical and commercial applications. The definition of terms has failed to keep pace with the rapidity of these developments and there is considerable confusion over the terminology used in this highly multi- and inter-disciplinary area. This confusion has arisen partly from the use of inappropriate terms which already have well-defined meanings in their parent disciplines, but which are used inexpertly by those working in other disciplines, and partly from the haphazard generation of new terms for the purpose of defining new phenomena or devices. For example, many terms used in pathology with distinct, if not readily understood, meanings are used by materials scientists to describe biocompatibility phenomena with slightly changed or even wholly misrepresented meanings; similarly, terms from materials science and engineering are seriously misused by biologists and clinicians working in this field. The leading proponent of harmonization and clarity in medical device terminology, Professor D. F. Williams has been influential in setting the standard for the accurate definition of some of the terms used. In particular, the definition of biocompatibility, ‘the Williams definition’, agreed at a 1987 conference has been adopted worldwide. Now, in association with O’Donnell and Associates of Brussels, he has prepared The Williams Dictionary to provide a definitive exposition of the meaning of the terminology used in the area of biomaterials and medical devices. It includes definitions and explanations of more than 2,000 terms from many areas, including biomaterials and medical devices, materials science, biological sciences, and clinical medicine and surgery.

FROM THE PREFACE The field of medical devices represents one of the most advanced technological areas in the United States. In 1991, over 12 million Americans had at least one medical device; fixation devices had the highest incidence, followed by contact lens use and lens implants and, lastly, artificial joints. The public has come to expect that medical devices will alleviate maladies and/or conditions that were not treatable fifty years ago. It is hard to believe that the first pacemaker was invented in the 1950s, the first artificial heart valve in 1952, and the first artificial hip replacement was performed in 1954. In 1992, the medical device industry exported a total of $6.9 billion, while the country imported a total of $3.9 billion, representing a $3.0 billion trade surplus. Medical devices are among the most regulated products in the world. The FDA maintains a constant vigil over medical device manufacturers and importers; even medical device definitions are subject to official scrutiny. Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations publishes these definitions, but the definitions are spread over several medical specialty areas and are, thus, difficult to find. This book attempts to bring a measure of order by providing an alphabetical listing of officially defined devices.

FROM THE PREFACE The field of medical devices represents one of the most advanced technological areas in the United States. In 1991, over 12 million Americans had at least one medical device; fixation devices had the highest incidence, followed by contact lens use and lens implants and, lastly, artificial joints. The public has come to expect that medical devices will alleviate maladies and/or conditions that were not treatable fifty years ago. It is hard to believe that the first pacemaker was invented in the 1950s, the first artificial heart valve in 1952, and the first artificial hip replacement was performed in 1954. In 1992, the medical device industry exported a total of $6.9 billion, while the country imported a total of $3.9 billion, representing a $3.0 billion trade surplus. Medical devices are among the most regulated products in the world. The FDA maintains a constant vigil over medical device manufacturers and importers; even medical device definitions are subject to official scrutiny. Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations publishes these definitions, but the definitions are spread over several medical specialty areas and are, thus, difficult to find. This book attempts to bring a measure of order by providing an alphabetical listing of officially defined devices.

Handbook of Polyurethanes serves as the first source of information of useful polymers. This new book thoroughly covers the entire spectrum of polyurethanes - from current technology to buyer's information. Discussions include: block and heteroblock systems rubber plasticity structure-property relations mi