Synthetic and Natural Degradable Polymeric Biomaterials - Biomaterials Fabrication and Processing - page 457

15 Synthetic and Natural Degradable

Polymeric Biomaterials

Sanjukta Deb

CONTENTS

15.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 457
15.2 Degradable Polymers........................................................................................................... 459
15.2.1 Polyesters ................................................................................................................ 459
15.2.1.1 Poly(α-Hydroxyacids) ............................................................................... 459
15.2.1.2 Poly(ε-Caprolactone) ................................................................................ 463
15.2.1.3 Copolymers of PLA, PGA, and PCL ....................................................... 463
15.2.2 Polydioxanone......................................................................................................... 465
15.2.3 Polyethylene Glycol ................................................................................................ 465
15.2.4 Trimethylene Carbonate ......................................................................................... 466
15.2.5 Poly(α-Amino Acids) .............................................................................................. 467
15.2.6 Poly(Alkyl 2-Cyanoacrylates) ................................................................................ 467
15.2.7 Polyurethanes.......................................................................................................... 468
15.3 Natural Degradable Polymers ............................................................................................. 469
15.3.1 Alginates................................................................................................................. 469
15.3.2 Chitosan .................................................................................................................. 470
15.3.3 Albumin .................................................................................................................. 472
15.3.4 Collagen .................................................................................................................. 472
15.3.5 Hyaluronic Acid...................................................................................................... 472
15.4 Applications......................................................................................................................... 473
15.4.1 Orthopedics ............................................................................................................ 473
15.4.2 Tissue Engineering and Degradable Polymers....................................................... 473
15.4.3 Drug Delivery ......................................................................................................... 475
15.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 475
References ...................................................................................................................................... 476

15.1 INTRODUCTION
Polymers consist of molecules that have high molar masses and are composed of a large number
of repeating units. Polymers occur in nature and can be found in living species such as proteins,
collagen, and DNA. Synthetic polymers comprise of a large group of materials that have become an
everyday commodity in life around us, ranging from the common carrier bag to heavy plastics. Due
to the enormous range of synthetic polymers, they are often classifi ed on the basis of their synthetic
pedigree, such as condensation or addition polymers. Synthetic polymers have grown progressively
to invade almost every commodity in our lives. A part of their growing popularity is due to the
ability to produce them at high speed with controlled properties, at low cost, ease of fabrication,
and with high resistance to aging. However, the abundance of synthetic polymers and their increas-
ing use also generates a colossal amount of waste, making “recycling” an active part of our lives.

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