This second edition provides a comprehensive discussion of contemporary materials used in biomedical research and development. The pedagogical writing style and structure provides students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts necessary to pursue research and industrial work in this growing area of biomedical science, including characteristics of biomaterials, biological processes, biocompatibility, and applications of materials in implants and medical instruments. Written by leading researchers in the field, this volume highlights important topics associated with biomedical engineering, medicine and surgery. The revised text contains updates that reflect recent technological advances in biomedical materials. It contains information on new characterization methods and applications for biomedical materials and incorporates suggestions that were offered by readers and educators using the first edition over the years. This textbook takes the reader to the forefront of biomedical materials development, providing graduate students with a taste of how the field is changing, while also serving as a useful reference to physicians and engineers.