- Chemical inertness means there is no chemical reaction between the biomaterial and biological tissue. Unwanted chemical reactions are a common cause of bioincompatibility, however sometimes it is desirable for a biomaterial to react with biological tissue. For example, plastic fasteners used in certain kinds of surgery are often intentionally left in the body to support tissues while they heal. These plastic fasteners are expected to gradually dissolve, and to do this they need to react with biological tissue. As a result, it is important that an appropriate level of chemical inertness is achieved.
- Bioincompatibility essentially means the tool made from the biomaterial in question is not doing its job. This doesn't mean there is no response from the biological tissue to the biomaterial, but rather that the response intended by the surgeons or doctors deploying the biomaterial is not being achieved.
- Ensuring that tools used in surgery and medicine are biocompatible is a key objective of the field of bio-engineering. Bioengineering is the study of the structure of biological materials and the tools and prostheses used by surgeons and doctors to cure illnesses.
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