Introduction, History of Fiber and Ceramic Filler-Based Polymer Composites for Biomedical Applications

Intriguing polymer composites with fiber and ceramic fillers for use in medicine are explored in this chapter. It begins with a thoughtful introduction before moving on to an exploration of the development of these extraordinary materials throughout history, beginning in the 1960s. This chapter focuses on the earliest efforts to develop bioactive bone substitutes by adding ceramic fillers, particularly hydroxyapatite, into polymers. As a result, these composites have found widespread use in fields as disparate as orthopedic implants and prosthetics since their introduction of carbon fibers in the 1980s. Dental and orthopedic implants, wound dressings, and biodegradable stents are just some of the many cutting-edge medical technologies discussed as the story progresses. The chapter concludes with a look into the future, illuminating trends such as the incorporation of nanotechnology, the development of personalized medicine via 3D printing, the use of bioresorbable electronics, the use of advanced imaging, and the necessity of moving from research to regulatory approvals and commercialization.