Composites based on degradable polymers

Tanner, K.E. (2009) Composites based on degradable polymers. In: Wuisman, P.I.J.M. and Smit, T.M. (eds.) Degradable Polymers for Skeletal Implants. Nova Science: New York, USA. ISBN 9781606924266

Abstract

While polymers have been used since the 19th Century in medical applications, it was only towards the end of 20th Century that degradable polymers were first used in the manufacture of biomedical composites. In the vast majority of cases ceramic and glass fillers have been added to increase both the bioactivity, that is to encourage integration of the material into body tissue, and the mechanical properties, in particular the stiffness, so that materials can be produced which have similar mechanical properties to bone. These materials have been subjected to mechanical, in vitro and in vivo testing, however, currently only polymer-polymer composites have been reported in clinical application. The addition of the fillers has generally increased the positive biological response to the degradable polymers and the choice of filler has allowed the control of the changes in pH around the polymers, thus increasing the biological acceptability compared to the non-filled polymer, and allowed control of the degradation rate. Additionally particulate filled polymer composites have been used to manufacture scaffolds for potential bone tissue engineering scaffolds, encouraging the ingrowth of cells into the scaffold.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Tanner, Professor Kathleen
• Authors: Tanner, K.E.
• Subjects: T Technology > T Technology (General)
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Biomedical Engineering
• Publisher: Nova Science
• ISBN: 9781606924266