Medical implant corrosion: Electrochemistry at metallic biomaterial surfaces -- Degradation of titanium and its alloys -- Degradation of dental implants -- In vivo aging and corrosion aspects of dental implants -- Biodegradable metals -- Degradable and bioactive synthetic composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering -- Biodegradation of calcium phosphate cement composites -- Enzyme-promoted degradation of polymeric matrices for controlled drug delivery: Analytical model and numerical simulations -- Degradation of bioceramics -- Fundamentals of tribology and the use of Ferrography and bio-Ferrography for monitoring the degradation of natural and artificial joints -- Fatigue failure of materials for medical devices -- Hypersensitivity to implant debris -- Implant infections and infection resistant materials -- Biomaterial calcification: Mechanisms and prevention -- Orthopaedic implant retrieval and failure analysis -- The use of finite element analysis in design, life prediction and failure analysis of biomaterials and medical devices -- Biological safety evaluation of polymers -- Biological responses to and toxicity of nanoscale implant materials.

This book focuses on degradation of biomaterials, which is one of the major considerations in their design, processing and use. It introduces the reader to the body environment and to the mechanical, chemical, electrochemical and biological processes that are responsible to the degradation of biomaterials. The outcomes of degradation are discussed in detail. Different failure mechanisms such as corrosion, fatigue, wear, infection and calcification are reviewed, together with experimental techniques for monitoring them. Procedures for implant retrieval and failure analysis are presented. The degradation of a wide spectrum of materials is reviewed, from  several kinds of metals to various polymers and composites.  A variety of medical devices is analyzed, including hip and knee prostheses, dental implants, permanent and absorbable stents, heart valves, inferior vena cava filters, breast implants, ophthalmic implants, intrauterine devices, and drug delivery devices. All chapters are written by world renowned experts. Thus, this book is a must-have for anyone wanting to become familiar with this area, including scientists, engineers, implant manufacturers, and venture capitalists. This book will be valuable for materials, mechanical, biomedical and corrosion engineers; biologists and doctors; chemists and electrochemists; surface scientists, and failure analysts.