Novel Load Systems for In Vitro Testing of Biomaterials and Medical Devices

Dear Colleagues,

In the mechanical characterization of materials or devices, the real load conditions to which materials and devices are subjected must often be simulated, starting from the availability of universal testing machines. Although sophisticated, these machines only apply uniaxial loads or, at most, simultaneously apply loads along orthogonal axes.

This consideration is all the more true in the field of biomedical engineering, where the physiological loads and environments to which biological tissues and biomaterials are subjected are complex and where there is the need to characterize biomechanical systems consisting of prostheses, devices, and devices coupled to the receiving organs or physiological tissues.

The purpose of this Issue is to gather studies in different areas of biomedical engineering; orthopedic, dental, and cardiovascular biomechanics, etc.; mechanical characterization methodologies on different scales of biological materials and tissues; implantable and non-implantable materials; biomaterials; and simple or complex devices. Some loading solutions designed in the absence of indications from existing regulations to simulate the real physiological loading conditions, as much as possible, to which biological tissues, biomaterials, medical devices (prostheses, osteosynthesis systems, sutures, etc.), and biomechanical systems are subjected are of particular interest for this Issue.

Studies investigating the structural behavior of materials or structures, verifying the availability of adequate testing machines before inventing new loading systems, investigating the existence of possible regulatory indications and, in their absence, looked to the literature for similar research from which to start are also welcome.

Prof. Cristina Bignardi
Dr. Mara Terzini
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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2600 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.