According to Williams' 1987 definition, what is a biomaterial intended to do?

The definition provided by Williams emphasizes that a biomaterial is specifically designed to interact with biological systems. This interaction is crucial in various applications, ranging from implants and prosthetics to drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. The ability of biomaterials to engage effectively with biological tissues, cells, and fluids plays a critical role in ensuring biocompatibility, functionality, and the success of medical treatments.

Interactions can include promoting cell adhesion, facilitating tissue growth, or even delivering therapeutic agents in a manner that mimics natural biological processes. Therefore, understanding the nature of these interactions is fundamental for the design and use of biomaterials in medical applications. While aspects like improving medical devices or enhancing human performance may be outcomes of using biomaterials, and replacing living tissue is certainly a significant application, the core intention behind a biomaterial is its ability to engage and function within biological systems.