Biodegradable and bioerodible polymers

Biodegradable polymers were developed originally for biomedical and pharmaceutical uses. The aim was to obtain materials for temporary or repeated use and that degraded in vivo with a controlled rate into non-toxic products that could be eliminated through natural ways. For such uses, only small amounts of high-grade polymers were required, and the initial high cost of 

This chapter focuses on biodegradable polymers used in the health domain. Some examples of biodegradable and bioerodible polymers are presented in Table 4.1, and some of their thermomechanical properties are given in Table 4.2. 

Poly(glycolide) or poly(glycolic acid) PGA -(-O-CH2-CO-)- Synthetic 

Poly(lactides) or poly(lactic acids) PLA -(-0- CH-C0-)- 1 CH3 Synthetic 

Poly[l,3-bis(p-carboxy-phenoxy) propane] PCPP -[-0-C0-cp-0-(CH2)3-0- ( -C0-)- Synthetic 

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