Bioresorbable polymers

Howdy!
So I found this article about new areas for advancement in bioresorbable plastics. Even though the technology for resorbable materials have been around for a while now starting with dissolving sutures about 40 years ago, a larger range of applications for these polymers has opened up. The ability to use 3D printing to print off new bones or body parts allows for more complex parts and ease of production. 3D printing has also been used to build bio-scaffolds that can then degrade as the body regenerates.

The article mentions the use of combinations of several materials to provide a wide range of applications with varying strengths and temperature ranges, and crystalline structures. A polymer-ceramic material is currently considered the best material to promote bone regeneration. As opposed to metal bone implants which takes the stress off of the bone and therefore doesn't promote regrowth, the polymer slowly degrades forcing the bone to regrow and get stronger as the polymer weakens. The grown implants can also be coated in medication or proteins that will expedite healing or reduce swelling.

I selected this article mostly because it combines several interesting topics for me. I think the combination of 3D printing and biodegradable material will provide many new opportunities for medical advancement. If engineers can  develop a way to increase strength of implants then it will become a much more viable option for patients.


http://www.plasticstoday.com/articles/bioresorbable-polymers-push-new-boundaries-091420123