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Advanced Materials and Devices for Medical Interventions
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Advanced Materials and Devices for Medical Interventions

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials and Devices for Healthcare Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 5637

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jinke Chang

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Guest Editor
Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PJ, UK
Interests: medical devices; biomimetic engineering; biomaterials and 3D printing; machine learning; AI for healthcare
Dr. Hubin Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
HUB of Intelligent Neuro-Engineering (HUBIN), Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London HA7 4LP, UK
Interests: biomedical engineering; electrical engineering; neural engineering; artificial intelligence; image processing
Dr. Iwan Roberts

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
Interests: cochlear implants; tissue engineering; neuroengineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent advancements in biomaterials and medical devices have transformed the landscape of healthcare, enabling more effective, personalized, and minimally invasive treatments. This Special Issue, “Advanced Materials and Devices for Medical Interventions”, aims to explore cutting-edge research in the development, fabrication, and application of novel materials and devices designed to enhance medical diagnostics, treatment, and patient care.

The focus of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, innovations in biomaterials, nanomaterials, biofabrication techniques, medical implants, and intelligent medical devices. Particular emphasis will be given to additive manufacturing, smart implants, bioresorbable materials, drug delivery systems, and AI-enabled medical technologies. Contributions showcasing novel functional materials, engineering approaches, and translational research towards clinical applications are highly encouraged.

This Special Issue will bridge gaps by providing a platform for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of materials science, biomedical engineering, and clinical practice. By highlighting the latest advancements in bio-inspired materials, smart sensing, and next-generation medical devices, we aim to foster collaboration between researchers, engineers, and healthcare professionals to accelerate the development of transformative medical technologies.

Dr. Jinke Chang
Dr. Hubin Zhao
Dr. Iwan Roberts
Guest Editors

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. Journal of Functional Biomaterials 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
  • medical devices
  • additive manufacturing
  • nanomaterials smart implants
  • biofabrication

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2181 KB  
Article
A Flexible and Thermally Uniform TiO2/Ag/SiO2 Transparent Heater for Skin-Integrated Applications
by Jaejeong Jo, Geonwoo Kang, Chankyoung Lee, Tran Thi Bao Vo and Dooho Choi
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(3), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17030151 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 370
Abstract
Transparent heaters intended for skin-contacting applications must simultaneously satisfy optical transparency, mechanical compliance, thermal uniformity, and operational safety under biologically relevant temperature ranges. Here, we evaluate the applicability of a TiO2/Ag/SiO2 (TAS) dielectric–metal–dielectric transparent heater as a functional biomaterial platform [...] Read more.
Transparent heaters intended for skin-contacting applications must simultaneously satisfy optical transparency, mechanical compliance, thermal uniformity, and operational safety under biologically relevant temperature ranges. Here, we evaluate the applicability of a TiO2/Ag/SiO2 (TAS) dielectric–metal–dielectric transparent heater as a functional biomaterial platform for wearable and skin-integrated thermal systems. By systematically optimizing each layer thickness of the TAS structure, the heater achieves high visible-light transmittance (average of 86.6%) together with low sheet resistance on the order of 7.7 Ω/sq for low-voltage operation. The TAS heater demonstrates rapid and reproducible Joule-heating behavior, showing fast thermal response with short thermal time constants and spatially homogeneous temperature distributions without localized hot spots. Stable electrothermal performance is maintained under repeated on/off cycling and during cyclic mechanical bending down to small radii, confirming excellent mechanical stability under repeated bending relevant to wearable applications. Importantly, direct on-skin evaluations conducted by attaching the device to a human elbow reveal conformal contact, uniform heating at therapeutically relevant temperatures (50–70 °C), and stable operation under dynamic bending and extension. The absence of thermal inhomogeneity during motion highlights the intrinsic stability of the TAS architecture for skin-interfaced use. Given the high optical visibility, mechanical compliance, thermal uniformity, and electrothermal stability, the proposed TAS architecture represents a promising functional biomaterial platform for wearable thermotherapy, skin-mounted healthcare devices, and human-interactive thermal systems operating under continuous mechanical deformation and direct skin contact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Devices for Medical Interventions)
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17 pages, 10869 KB  
Article
The Effect of Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes and Graphene Compounds on the Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Rat BMSCs
by Chenyuan Zhu, Yuwei Deng, Jing Xu, Jin Wen, Qingfeng Huang and Weiqiang Yu
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(11), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16110413 - 5 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3143
Abstract
Graphene-based nanomaterials, including graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), exhibit exceptional properties, which might facilitate the functional modification of TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) for enhanced rapid osseointegration. This study investigated the effects of GO/GQD-deposited TiO2-NTs on cell proliferation, osteogenic [...] Read more.
Graphene-based nanomaterials, including graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs), exhibit exceptional properties, which might facilitate the functional modification of TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) for enhanced rapid osseointegration. This study investigated the effects of GO/GQD-deposited TiO2-NTs on cell proliferation, osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), and early osseointegration in male 6-week-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. TiO2-NTs (control group) were fabricated on titanium substrates via anodic oxidation. GO and GQDs were electrochemically deposited onto the TiO2-NTs using cyclic voltammetry with 0.5 mg/mL GO and 0.1 mg/mL GQD dispersions to form NT-GO and NT-GQDs. In vitro assays evaluated cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation. Implants were randomly inserted into one femoral epiphysis of nine rats (n = 3), and osseointegration was evaluated using micro-computed tomography and sequential fluorescence labeling at 2, 4, and 6 weeks post-implantation. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA. Cyclic voltammetry successfully synthesized NT-GO and NT-GQDs, with Raman spectra confirming D and G bands. Both NT-GO and NT-GQDs exhibited superior cell adhesion, proliferation, and enhanced osteogenic differentiation compared with TiO2-NTs. Notably, the NT-GQDs significantly promoted new bone formation in vivo. The integration of graphene nanomaterials onto TiO2-NTs improves biocompatibility and accelerates osteogenesis, suggesting a promising strategy for enhancing osseointegration in orthopedic and dental implants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Devices for Medical Interventions)
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17 pages, 4247 KB  
Article
Endoscope-Assisted or Skin-Approach Osteosynthesis of Mandibular Condylar Fracture—A Comparison
by Paulina Agier, Dominik Szczeciński and Marcin Kozakiewicz
J. Funct. Biomater. 2025, 16(10), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16100382 - 11 Oct 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1616
Abstract
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for mandibular condyle fractures remains a controversial and challenging issue, with the exception of basal and low-neck fractures. Currently, there is a consensus that fractures causing irreparable malocclusion or dislocation, when the fracture line runs through the [...] Read more.
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for mandibular condyle fractures remains a controversial and challenging issue, with the exception of basal and low-neck fractures. Currently, there is a consensus that fractures causing irreparable malocclusion or dislocation, when the fracture line runs through the base or lower neck of the condyle, require ORIF. Due to the different characteristics of fractures, various surgical approaches and their modifications are available. The use of a minimally invasive intraoral approach during endoscope-assisted procedures is considered safer for the facial nerve and provides good esthetic results without facial scarring. This study aimed to compare two surgical approaches—retromandibular and intraoral—to examine post-operative outcomes and to guide surgical decision-making in the treatment of simple fractures of the base and low-neck condylar process of the mandible. Forty-nine patients (thirteen female, thirty-six male) were analyzed: eighteen were treated with the intraoral approach, and thirty-one with the retromandibular approach. There were no statistical differences in the duration of surgery, but intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in patients treated endoscopically compared with those treated with an extraoral approach. Post-operative facial nerve and TMJ function were comparable in both groups. The endoscope-treated patients were at a higher risk of fracture non-union, but these findings should be considered with connection with the small sample size. The intraoral approach is a valuable option for basal or low-neck fractures but demands significant surgical experience due to its technical complexity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Devices for Medical Interventions)
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