Advancements in Biocompatible Materials for Implantable Medical Devices

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 6473

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
Interests: application of biomaterials; biomechanics; wear and fatigue related research in medical devices; mathematical modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Engineering and Computer Science, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA
Interests: advanced engineering materials; material property characterization and lifecycle assessment; biomechanics; biomedical engineering; bone biomechanics; mechanical testing; finite element modeling; biomedical devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Advancements in biocompatible materials for implantable medical devices have revolutionized modern healthcare, offering innovative solutions for treating a wide range of medical conditions. These materials are designed to be compatible with the body's natural systems, minimizing the risk of rejection and promoting better integration with surrounding tissues. Over the years, researchers have made significant strides in developing new materials with improved biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and functionality. These advancements have led to the development of safer, more durable, and more effective implantable devices, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and quality of life. In this context, this Special Issue on "Advancements in Biocompatible Materials for Implantable Medical Devices" will showcase the latest research and innovations in this rapidly evolving field, highlighting the transformative impact of biocompatible materials on modern healthcare. Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Novel biocompatible materials for implantable medical devices;
  2. Surface modifications that improve the biocompatibility of implant materials;
  3. Nanostructured materials for enhanced biocompatibility and functionality;
  4. Composite materials that improve the mechanical properties of implants;
  5. In vitro and in vivo studies on biocompatible materials for implants;
  6. Regulatory considerations and standards for biocompatible materials in implantable devices;
  7. Clinical applications and case studies of biocompatible materials in implantable medical devices;
  8. Computational modeling and simulations of biocompatible materials for implants;
  9. Emerging trends and future directions concerning biocompatible materials for implantable medical devices.

This Special Issue welcomes all research areas related to innovative experimental and computational approaches in the development and evaluation of biocompatible materials for implantable medical devices.

Prof. Dr. Tarun Goswami
Dr. Farah Hamandi
Guest Editors

PhD student Anmar Salih
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biomaterials
  • clinical engineering
  • biomedical devices
  • cardiovascular engineering
  • biomedical instrumentation
  • biomechanical engineering
  • biomedical modeling
  • biomedical technology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

17 pages, 1906 KB  
Article
Antibody and Cellular Immune Responses in Old α1,3-Galactosyltransferase-Knockout Mice Implanted with Bioprosthetic Heart Valve Tissues
by Kelly Casós, Roger Llatjós, Arnau Blasco-Lucas, Sebastián G. Kuguel, Fabrizio Sbraga, Cesare Galli, Vered Padler-Karavani, Thierry Le Tourneau, Marta Vadori, Jean-Christian Roussel, Tomaso Bottio, Emanuele Cozzi, Jean-Paul Soulillou, Manuel Galiñanes, Rafael Máñez and Cristina Costa
Bioengineering 2026, 13(1), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13010053 - 31 Dec 2025
Abstract
Structural valve deterioration (SVD) remains a key limitation in bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) usage influenced by patient age. A deeper understanding of SVD pathogenesis, particularly of the immune-mediated processes altering current BHV materials, is therefore critical. To this end, commercially available BHV tissues [...] Read more.
Structural valve deterioration (SVD) remains a key limitation in bioprosthetic heart valve (BHV) usage influenced by patient age. A deeper understanding of SVD pathogenesis, particularly of the immune-mediated processes altering current BHV materials, is therefore critical. To this end, commercially available BHV tissues of bovine, porcine, and equine origin were investigated following subcutaneous implantation into α1,3-galactosyltransferase-knockout (Gal KO) mice. We compared the immune responses between adult and aged animals via histological assessments of explants and measurement of serum anti-galactose α1,3-galactose (Gal) and anti-non-Gal antibodies at 2 months post-implantation. In contrast to adult mice, old Gal KO mice did not show increased levels of serum anti-Gal or -non-Gal antibodies after receiving specific BHV tissue (i.e., Freedom-Solo). Instead, a significant decrease in serum anti-Gal IgM was found in old recipients of Freedom-Solo. Furthermore, the overall cellular immune response was attenuated in explants from old mice compared with adults (i.e., ATS 3f and Crown). Nevertheless, the Freedom-Solo (bovine) and the Hancock-II (porcine) tissues still elicited strong cellular immune infiltration in the old cohorts. Therefore, the Gal KO mouse model offers a valuable platform to investigate age-related differences regarding cellular and humoral immune responses to various BHV tissues, contributing to our understanding of SVD. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 1378 KB  
Article
Effect of Surface Wettability and Energy on Bacterial Adhesion to Dental Aligners: A Comparative In Vitro Study
by A. Martínez Gil-Ortega, M. M. Paz-Cortés, M. J. Viñas, P. Cintora-López, A. Martín-Vacas, J. Gil and J. M. Aragoneses
Bioengineering 2025, 12(9), 898; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12090898 - 22 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1598
Abstract
The use of orthodontic aligners has increased significantly due to their convenience and esthetic advantages. However, understanding their microbiological behavior and cytotoxicity is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic activity (MA) and proliferation of different bacterial strains—assessed through colony-forming unit (CFU) [...] Read more.
The use of orthodontic aligners has increased significantly due to their convenience and esthetic advantages. However, understanding their microbiological behavior and cytotoxicity is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic activity (MA) and proliferation of different bacterial strains—assessed through colony-forming unit (CFU) counts—as well as the cytotoxicity of three widely used aligner systems: Spark, Invisalign, and Smile. Wettability and surface free energy (both dispersive and polar components) were determined using the sessile drop technique. The bacterial strains Streptococcus oralis, Actinomyces viscosus, Streptococcus gordonii, Enterococcus faecalis, and Porphyromonas gingivalis were cultured, and their behavior on the aligner surfaces was assessed under simulated oral cavity conditions in both aerobic and anaerobic environments using a bioreactor. Cytocompatibility was evaluated with HFF-1 human fibroblasts. Distinct strain-specific behaviors were observed. For Spark aligners, the contact angle was 70.5°, Invisalign 80.6°, and Smile 91.2°, and the surface free energy was 60.8, 66.7, and 74. 2 mJ/m2, respectively, highlighting the high polar component of the Spark aligner of 31.9 mJ/m2 compared to 19.3 and 20.2 mJ/m2 for Invisalign and Smile, respectively. The Spark aligner exhibited the lowest metabolic activity for Streptococcus oralis (23.1%), Actinomyces viscosus (43.2%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (17.7%), and biofilm formation (2.4%), likely due to its higher hydrophilicity. The Smile aligner showed the lowest metabolic activity for Streptococcus gordonii (23.6%) and Enterococcus faecalis (51.1%), attributed to its low polar surface free energy component. CFU counts were minimal for all aligners and bacterial strains, including biofilm. All aligners demonstrated cytocompatibility above 70% (Spark: 71.0%, Invisalign: 75.7%, and Smile: 75.6%). These findings highlight the importance of considering aligner material properties in clinical practice and underscore the need for proper oral hygiene and aligner maintenance. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 7220 KB  
Article
Advancements in Finite Element Modeling for Cardiac Device Leads and 3D Heart Models
by Anmar Salih, Farah Hamandi and Tarun Goswami
Bioengineering 2024, 11(6), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11060564 - 3 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2758
Abstract
The human heart’s remarkable vitality necessitates a deep understanding of its mechanics, particularly concerning cardiac device leads. This paper presents advancements in finite element modeling for cardiac leads and 3D heart models, leveraging computational simulations to assess lead behavior over time. Through detailed [...] Read more.
The human heart’s remarkable vitality necessitates a deep understanding of its mechanics, particularly concerning cardiac device leads. This paper presents advancements in finite element modeling for cardiac leads and 3D heart models, leveraging computational simulations to assess lead behavior over time. Through detailed modeling and meshing techniques, we accurately captured the complex interactions between leads and heart tissue. Material properties were assigned based on ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards and in vivo exposure data, ensuring realistic simulations. Our results demonstrate close agreement between experimental and simulated data for silicone insulation in pacemaker leads, with a mean force tolerance of 19.6 N ± 3.6 N, an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 6.3 MPa ± 1.15 MPa, and a percentage elongation of 125% ± 18.8%, highlighting the effectiveness of simulation in predicting lead performance. Similarly, for polyurethane insulation in ICD leads, we found a mean force of 65.87 N ± 7.1 N, a UTS of 10.7 MPa ± 1.15 MPa, and a percentage elongation of 259.3% ± 21.4%. Additionally, for polyurethane insulation in CRT leads, we observed a mean force of 53.3 N ± 2.06 N, a UTS of 22.11 MPa ± 0.85 MPa, and a percentage elongation of 251.6% ± 13.2%. Correlation analysis revealed strong relationships between mechanical properties, further validating the simulation models. Classification models constructed using both experimental and simulated data exhibited high discriminative ability, underscoring the reliability of simulation in analyzing lead behavior. These findings contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve cardiac device lead design and optimize patient outcomes. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop