Resorbable polymers for medical applications

Biomaterials Research Center, KIST and Korea University, South Korea and Y. JUNG, Biomaterials Research Center, KIST, South Korea 

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

Polyhydroxyalkanoates Polyurethanes Polyanhydrides Polylamino acids) Polyphosphazenes 

The degradation rate is further influenced by polymer morphology. Semicrystalline polymers are composed of crystalline and amorphous 

Depend on main chain stmcture acid anhydride ester carbonate .  

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Some of the biomedical applications of each of the resorbable polymers have been discussed individually in the previous sections. Here, the general applications of fiber-forming bioresorbable polymers will be discussed. Table 7.1 shows the scope and range of biotextile devices currently used for medical applications. 

This polymer has been used in several medical applications already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Recently, PCL is being applied not only in the development of drug delivery systems [42] and resorbable sutures [43], but also as a material for tissue regeneration [44]. 

There are important medical applications for polylactides prepared from the lactide dimer as well as for lactide-glycolide copolymers synthesized from lactide and glycolide dimers. These polymers are used for procedures requiring surgical sutures, implants, bone plates, and controlled drug release, inasmuch as they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and resorbable materials. 

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