Biocompatibility hydrolytic degradation

Key words resorbable polymer, biocompatibility, hydrolytic degradation, enzymatic degradation, mechano-active tissue engineering, elastomeric properties, copolymerization, particulate leaching, gel spinning. 

PHB and P(HB-co-HV) have several merits as matrices for controlled drug delivery [107,109]. Their biosynthetic production excludes the use of solvents, initiators, or catalysts that could, if not properly removed from the biomedical device, pose a toxicological hazard to the patient. The materials are enzymatically as well as hydrolytically degradable. Biocompatibility does not seem to be a problem the monomer D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyrate is in fact a normal constituent of blood [231]. The ease of crystallization of PHB during precipitation makes entrapment of the drug difficult [107]. Hence, copolymers with HV have been more popular for drug formulation than the pure PHB. 

A review is presented of the use of degradable polymers for use in controlled drug delivery. Emphasis is given to the preparation, applications, biocompatibility, and stability of microspheres from hydrolytically degradable polymers. 320 refs. 

PLA/PMMA blends as shown below are characterized by interesting bulk and surface properties, like their biodegradability, biocompatibility, mid the possibility of using such materials for in vitro drug agent release materials. The literature references also the hydrolytic degradation kinetics of PLLA [190]. 

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