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.

The concept of The Williams Dictionary arose from the frequent observation of the misuse of terminology in the literature of biomaterials and associated fields. As engineers struggle both to read and to write papers that address biological and clinical issues, and clinical scientists themselves become involved in engineering matters, there has been ample scope for confusion over the words that they use. There has also been an uncontrolled proliferation of new words, often unnecessary and gramatically incorrect, in the interdisciplinary area. The Williams Dictionary of Biomaterials provides definitions and explanatory notes for 6000 words and, in so doing, attempts to develop guidelines for the selection of terms in the science of biomaterials and medical devices.

Definitions of Biomaterials for the Twenty-First Century is a review of key, critical biomaterial terms and definitions endorsed by the International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering. The topics and definitions discussed include those in general biomaterials and applications, biocompatibility, implantable and interventional devices, drug delivery systems, regenerative medicine and emerging biomaterials. The book reviews the discussion of these terms by leaders in the global biomaterials community and summarizes the agreed upon definitions. Provides readers with the official definitions of critical biomaterials terms endorsed by the International Union of Societies for Biomaterials Science and Engineering Includes the combined contributions from more than 50 global leaders in the biomaterials community Updates terms based on the latest advances in clinical and scientific understanding and expanded scope of biomaterials science

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 groundbreaking single-authored textbook equips students with everything they need to know to truly understand the hugely topical field of biomaterials science, including essential background on the clinical necessity of biomaterials, relevant concepts in biology and materials science, comprehensive and up-to-date coverage of all existing clinical and experimental biomaterials, and the fundamental principles of biocompatibility. It features extensive case studies interweaved with theory, from a wide range of clinical disciplines, equipping students with a practical understanding of the phenomena and mechanisms of biomaterials performance; a whole chapter dedicated to the biomaterials industry itself, including guidance on regulations, standards and guidelines, litigation, and ethical issues to prepare students for industry; informative glossaries of key terms, engaging end-of-chapter exercises and up-to-date lists of recommended reading. Drawing on the author's forty years' experience in biomaterials, this is an indispensable resource for students studying these lifesaving technological advances.