Polymeric materials Biodegradable polymers

Over the past two decades, the trend of using biodegradable materials instead of biostable materials has rapidly emerged in the case of various applications [44]. Because of the diverse features of polymeric materials, biodegradable polymers are rapidly replacing other materials such as metals, alloys, and ceramics [45]. This tremendous increase in the use of biodegradable materials supports the prediction that many of the permanent prosthetic devices used currently will be replaced by biodegradable devices in... 

Zhu, K. J., Xiangzhou, L., and Shilin, Y., Preparation and properties of D,L-lactide and ethylene oxide copolymer A modifying biodegradable polymeric material, J. Polym. Sei. Part C Polvm. Lett.. 24, 331-337, 1986. 

Synthesis of aminopolysaccharides, therefore, is one of the important research areas in the field of functional materials, examples of biorelated polymers, antibacterial substance, and biodegradable polymers as well as materials for drugs and matrices of drug delivery systems. Only a few methods, however, such as ring-opening polymerization and enzymatic polymerization have been available for the precision synthesis of aminopolysaccharides [4,5],... 

Carbon dioxide is a widely available, inexpensive, and renewable resource. Hence, its utilization as a source of chemical carbon or as a solvent in chemical synthesis can lead to less of an impact on the environment than alternative processes. The preparation of aliphatic polycarbonates via the coupling of epoxides or oxetanes with CO2 illustrates processes where carbon dioxide can serve in both capacities, i.e., as a monomer and as a solvent. The reactions represented in (1) and (2) are two of the most well-studied instances of using carbon dioxide in chemical synthesis of polymeric materials, and represent environmentally benign routes to these biodegradable polymers. We and others have comprehensively reviewed this important area of chemistry fairly recently. Nevertheless, because of the intense interest and activity in this discipline, regular updates are warranted. 

The biodegradable polymer available in the market today in largest amounts is PEA. PEA is a melt-processible thermoplastic polymer based completely on renewable resources. The manufacture of PEA includes one fermentation step followed by several chemical transformations. The typical annually renewable raw material source is com starch, which is broken down to unrefined dextrose. This sugar is then subjected to a fermentative transformation to lactic acid (LA). Direct polycondensation of LA is possible, but usually LA is first chemically converted to lactide, a cyclic dimer of LA, via a PLA prepolymer. Finally, after purification, lactide is subjected to a ring-opening polymerization to yield PLA [13-17]. 

This book is a companion volume to Pharmaceutical Technology Controlled Drug Release, Volume 1, edited by M.H.Rubinstein and published in 1987. It focused on the different types of polymeric materials used in controlled release. This book extends these concepts to include drug properties, design and optimization, coating, the effect of food and pharmacokinetics. It also reflects the growing interest in biodegradable polymers in oral and topical formulations and the use of sterile implants. 

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