Nanostructured partially biodegradable composites of biomedical interest: From the design to the application

J. SAN ROMÁN; B. VÁZQUEZ; A. GALLARDO; G.A. ABRAHAM; J.A. MÉNDEZ

San Sebastián, España

Conferencia; IV International Conference on Polymer Modification, Degradation and Stabilization, MoDeSt 2006; 2006

CSIC

In orthopedic applications, the development of bioresorbable polymers for use as degradable devices has been investigated in the last thirty years, especially for fracture and craniomaxillofacial fixation, interference screws, suture anchors and meniscus repair, and numerous commercially biodegradable devices are available. Different approaches for designing biodegradable systems or drug delivery systems with appropriate mechanical properties have been developed. The preparation of self reinforced systems has been investigated in order to improve the mechanical strength of the systems during the biodegradation process. Another approach has been the development of partially biodegradable composites, in which the biodegradable phase is dispersed in a continuous biostable acrylic matrix, and its biodegradation allows the ingrowth of osseous tissue inside the implanted devices during the repairing healing process. Moreover, drug-loaded formulations can be eventually used for the treatment of various surgical infections. In this work, several examples of partially degradable systems based on poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) – poly(e-caprolactone) (PMMA/PCL) systems, are described.