Biocompatibility (or tissue compatibility) describes the ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response when applied as intended. A biocompatible material may not be completely "inert"; in fact, the appropriateness of the host response is decisive. Suggested sub-definitions The scope of the first definition is so wide that D Williams tried to find suitable subgroups of applications in order to be able to make more narrow definitions. In the MDT article from 2003 the chosen supgroups and their definitions were: Biocompatibility of long-term implanted devices The biocompatibility of a long-term implantable medical device refers to the ability of the device to perform its intended function, with the desired degree of incorporation in the host, without eliciting any undesirable local or systemic effects in that host. Biocompatibility of short-term implantable devices The biocompatibility of a medical device that is intentionally placed within the cardiovascular system for transient diagnostic or therapeutic purposes refers to the ability of the device to carry out its intended function within flowing blood, with minimal interaction between device and blood that adversely affects device performance, and without inducing uncontrolled activation of cellular or plasma protein cascades. Biocompatibility of tissue-engineering products The biocompatibility of a scaffold or matrix for a tissue-engineering products refers to the ability to perform as a substrate that will support the appropriate cellular activity, including the facilitation of molecular and mechanical signalling systems, in order to optimise tissue regeneration, without eliciting any undesirable effects in those cells, or inducing any undesirable local or systemic responses in the eventual host. In these definitions the notion of biocompatibility is related to devices rather than to materials as compared to top three definitions. There was a consensus conference on biomaterial definitions in Sorrento September 15–16, 2005. See also Biocompatible material Biomaterial Medical device ISO 10993 Medical implant Medical grade silicone Bovine submaxillary mucin coatings Titanium biocompatibility References Footnotes Notes Biomaterials Surgery