Advances in Biodegradable Polymers and Biomaterials for Medical Applications—A Review

Abstract

The introduction of new materials for the production of various types of constructs that can connect directly to tissues has enabled the development of such fields of science as medicine, tissue, and regenerative engineering. The implementation of these types of materials, called biomaterials, has contributed to a significant improvement in the quality of human life in terms of health. This is due to the constantly growing availability of new implants, prostheses, tools, and surgical equipment, which, thanks to their specific features such as biocompatibility, appropriate mechanical properties, ease of sterilization, and high porosity, ensure an improvement of living. Biodegradation ensures, among other things, the ideal rate of development for regenerated tissue. Current tissue engineering and regenerative medicine strategies aim to restore the function of damaged tissues. The current gold standard is autografts (using the patient’s tissue to accelerate healing), but limitations such as limited procurement of certain tissues, long operative time, and donor site morbidity have warranted the search for alternative options. The use of biomaterials for this purpose is an attractive option and the number of biomaterials being developed and tested is growing rapidly.

Preliminary Evaluation of Poly-(Sorbitol-Co-Citrate Adipate) Properties for Application as Biomaterial

“…Thus, based on the definition proposed by [19] citric acid [10] should be used as a crosslinking agent, i.e., as a "bridge" between macromolecular chains [22,23]. Furthermore, this same acid, for the system in question, did not prove to be a satisfactory building block for chain increase [3]. Therefore, based on the experimental data, it is believed that the best molar ratio is around 1 mol of sorbitol to 0.5 mol of citric acid to 1 mol of adipic acid, although it would be interesting to evaluate even lower concentrations of citric acid or values slightly higher than 0.5 of citric acid in relation to sorbitol.…”

“…In the last decade biomaterials have been responsible for a significant portion of products used in the health area [1]. Its uses are the widest and most varied, from biomedical devices (such as hemodialysis systems, blood circulation tubes and biosensors), implantable materials (such as plaques, bone substitutes, tendons, meshes, sutures, heart valves, lenses, teeth) devices for the release of drugs (in the form of films, implants and particles), artificial organs (such as kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, lungs, skin) and even dressings [2,3] Biomaterials are devices that come into contact with biological systems and can be made of synthetic polymers, natural among other different chemical compounds, such as bioceramics, bioglasses, metals and etc. [3,4].…”

Design, Manufacture, and Characterization of a Critical-Sized Gradient Porosity Dual-Material Tibial Defect Scaffold

“…Bioceramics, represented by hydroxyapatite (HAp), are esteemed for their robust biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and osteoconductive properties. HAp is notable for its ability to control degradation in the presence of biological entities [16], contributing to its widespread utilization in artificial bone replacements. Its exceptional biocompatibility significantly accelerates the bone-healing process.…”

Using Polymers as Crystal Inhibitors to Prevent the Crystallization of the Rotigotine Patch

“…Medical polymers, which do not possess pharmacological activity but can improve the properties of pharmaceutical preparations, have demonstrated superior biocompatibility and have been used as crystallization inhibitors [21][22][23]. For example, poloxamer 407 (P407) has been shown to stabilize supersaturation with tacrolimus by altering the crystal surface properties [24].…”

“…Researchers have explored various approaches, such as synthesizing prodrugs to improve solubility, designing transdermal systems with acrylate copolymeric pressure-sensitive adhesives, and utilizing polymers like polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to prevent crystallization of drugs [18][19][20]. Medical polymers, which do not possess pharmacological activity but can improve the properties of pharmaceutical preparations, have demonstrated superior biocompatibility and have been used as crystallization inhibitors [21][22][23]. For example, poloxamer 407 (P407) has been shown to stabilize supersaturation with tacrolimus by altering the crystal surface properties [24].…”