Biocompatibility of Resorbable Polymers: A Historical Perspective and Framework for the Future

Abstract

The history of resorbable polymers containing glycolide, lactide, ε-caprolactone and trimethylene carbonate, with a special emphasis being placed on the time frame of the 1960s–1990s is described. Reviewing the history is valuable when looking into the future perspectives regarding how and where these monomers should be used. This story includes scientific evaluations indicating that these polymers are safe to use in medical devices, while the design of the medical device is not considered in this report. In particular, we present the data regarding the tissue response to implanted polymers, as well as the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of their degradation products. In the translation of these polymers from “the bench to the bedside,” various challenges have been faced by surgeons, medical doctors, biologists, material engineers and polymer chemists. This Perspective highlights the visionary role played by the pioneers, addressing the problems that occurred on a case by case basis in translational medicine.

Xeno-Free In Vitro Cultivation and Osteogenic Differentiation of hAD-MSCs on Resorbable 3D Printed RESOMER®

“…For a successful implantation, besides the suitable degradation time, the surface including the binding sites for cells should not change adversely during the degradation process to avoid negative effects on the de novo cell adhesion [54]. Several studies investigated the in vivo biocompatibility and degradation of resorbable scaffolds [55][56][57]. A limited number of publications studied the in vitro or in vivo biocompatibility of in vitro degraded resorbable polymer constructs [58].…”

Tuning the thermal properties of poly(ethylene)‐like poly(esters) by copolymerization of ε‐caprolactone with macrolactones, in the presence of a pyridylamidozinc(II) complex

“…In this context, linear aliphatic poly(ester)s, as thermoplastic materials, have been envisaged as the degradable and possibly “green” potential substitute to traditional plastics. The increasing interest toward linear aliphatic polyesters is due, indeed, to their degradability and biocompatibility and to the fact that their production may be based on renewable resources.…”

3D and Porous RGDC‐Functionalized Polyester‐Based Scaffolds as a Niche to Induce Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Stem Cells

“…The composition was calculated by 1 H NMR analysis and the copolymer resulted to contain 10 mol% of TMC. This copolymer was selected as bulk polymer in the scaffolds because it is known to be biocompatible in different applications and possible side effects could thereby be excluded . Our scope was to use the bulk material and blend it with poly[(PDS‐LA)‐ co ‐LA] to evaluate the efficacy of the functionalization on the cell–material interaction excluding any possible side effect of the polymeric substrate.…”