Bioresorbable polymers modeling degradation

First, a brief overview of the degradation mechanism and the main factors that influence hydrolysis of bioresorbable polymers is provided. Then, the modeling approaches that can be used for characterizing the behavior of biodegradable devices will be summarized. 

As mentioned, the overall degradation rate is affected by numerous phenomena. Today, it is still not possible to bmld a mathematical model that predicts the final degradation rate and accounts for aU possible variables, starting from polymer processing and manufacturing to device hydrolysis. The description is even more compUcated in vivo, where polymer—tissue interactions also can play a significant role in the final behavior of bioresorbable polymers. 

Han X, Pan J, Buchannan F, Weir N and Farrar D (2010) Analysis of degradation data of bioresorbable polymers obtained at elevated and physiological temperatures using mathematical models. Acta Biomaterialia, 6 3882-3889. 

Han, X., Pan, J., 2011. Polymer chain scission, oligomer production and diffusion a two-scale model for degradation of bioresorbable polyesters. Acta Biomaterialia 538—547. 

---