title: A classification of the mechanisms producing pathological tissue changes.
abstract: The objectives are to present a classification of mechanisms which can produce pathological changes in body tissues and fluids, as well as to clarify and define the term biocorrosion, which has had a singular use in engineering. Considering the emerging field of biomedical engineering, it is essential to use precise definitions in the lexicons of engineering, bioengineering and related sciences such as medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine. The mechanisms of stress, friction and biocorrosion and their pathological effects on tissues are described. Biocorrosion refers to the chemical, biochemical and electrochemical changes by degradation or induced growth of living body tissues and fluids. Various agents which can affect living tissues causing biocorrosion are enumerated which support the necessity and justify the use of this encompassing and more precise definition of biocorrosion. A distinction is made between the mechanisms of corrosion and biocorrosion.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering, Western New England University, Springfield, 01119, USA. meadownet@aol.com
authors.forename: John O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Grippo
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D057005:Bioengineering; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001826:Body Fluids; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013312:Stress, Physiological