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Synthetic Biodegradable Polymers
By Donna Salamey
Biomedical and Electrical Engineering
Biodegradable polymers can be either
natural or synthetic. However, synthetic
polymers offer greater advantages and
possibilities of use because they can be molded
into anything you need them to be. They can
be used as sutures or staples, drug delivery
systems, orthopedic fixation devices, tissue
engineering,
dental
applications,
cardiovascular
applications,
intestinal
applications and bone replacement.
its final product
advantage.
form,
this is another
The
polymer
has
mechanical
properties to match the application, meaning
that the polymer will remain strong until the
tissue has healed. Since it is biodegradable that
means it will be metabolized in the body after
completing its purpose. Also these polymers
are non toxic, so the fact that it dissolves in
the body after completion does not cause any
complications.
Sutures and staples available as
synthetic
biodegradable
polymers
are
advantageous because it cuts on having to go
to the doctors twice to remove the suture.
Using biodegradable sutures allows for them to
dissolve into the body after they have served
their purpose. Drug delivery system using
biodegradable polymers allows for a released
dosage over a period of hours or days,
depending on what is preferred.
Bone replacement is another way in
which synthetic biodegradable polymers are
used. Bones require time and growth to mend
and when a bone is broken the bone cannot
carry any weight. Using regular steel pins and
rods require a second surgery to remove them.
When removed the bone is sometimes still too
weak, and cannot handle the weight that is
asked of it, and so the bone will break again.
However, when you use biodegradable material,
it dissolves gradually allowing for the bone to
strengthen, because the weight that it is
carrying will increase gradually allowing it to
adjust.
The
reason
why
synthetic
biodegradable polymers are such a great use
medically is because you can create each
polymer to do exactly what you need it to do.
They are basically custom made for each
patient needs and since it is easy to make into
The main advantages of synthetic
biodegradable polymers are their strength,
degradability, adhesiveness, no danger of
immunogenicity or disease transfer, they are
not inflammatory or toxic, easily sterilized
and they have a good shelf life. In conclusion,
synthetic biodegradable polymers are a great
advancement in the biomedical engineering
field.