This book integrates recent developments in the understanding and use of synthetic and natural polymers. It describes evolutionary materials development, processing methods, characterization and evaluation techniques, and applications — including those currently in use as well as those which are emerging or alluring but not yet fully practical.

Absorbable and Biodegradable Polymers illustrates creative approaches to customizing fiber-forming materials for unique applications; presents state-of-the-art methods and processes used to characterize polymers and modulate their clinically relevant properties; reviews compositions and applications for absorbable polymers, including tissue engineering, adhesion, and drug delivery; and more.

From the Preface: “...It is to be emphasized that the diverse topics presented in this book are integrated in such a fashion as to yield a coherent source of diverse but interrelated information for use by scientists, engineers, and clinicians who are interested in the use of A/BP [absorbable/biodegradable polymers] in pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The clinical components of the book are prepared by clinicians who are also well-versed scientists to maximize the effectiveness of integrating clinical with preclinical information...”

Target Audience: Biomedical and chemical engineers, polymer scientists and researchers, and upper-level students interested in systems involving absorbable and biodegradable polymers, especially for medical applications.

Table of Contents:

Introduction:

Absorbable/Biodegradable Polymers: Technology Evolution

Development and Application of New Systems:

Segmented Copolyesters with Prolonged Strength Retention Profiles

Polyaxial Crystalline Fiber-Forming Copolyester

Polyethylene Glycol-Based Copolyesters

Cyanoacrylate-Based Systems as Tissue Adhesives

Chitosan-Based Systems

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Systems

Developments in Preparative, Processing, and Evaluation Methods:

New Approaches to the Synthesis of Crystalline Fiber-Forming Aliphatic Copolyesters

Advances in Morphological Development to Tailor the Performance of Medical Absorbable Devices

Polymer Biocompatibility and Toxicity

Growing and Newly Sought Applications:

Tissue Engineering Systems

Synthetic Vascular Constructs

Postoperative Adhesion Prevention

Implantable Insulin Controlled Release Systems for Treating Diabetes Mellitus

Absorbable Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy

Tumor Immunotherapeutic Systems

Index