Polymeric Biomaterials for Healthcare Applications details a broad range of polymeric biomaterials, methods of synthesis and preparation, and their various applications in healthcare and biomedicine. The book provides a fundamental overview of polymers and processing technologies to allow clinical scientists to explore the use of these polymers in alternative applications. A wide variety of healthcare applications are covered, including treatment for autoimmune diseases and bacterial infections, tissue engineering, gene delivery, wound dressing, and more. The book provides a core introductory text for clinical and materials scientists new to the area of polymeric biomaterials. This book will prove useful to academics and researchers in materials science, biomedical engineering, clinical science and pharmaceutical science. Covers a broad range of polymeric biomaterials, including chitosan, alginate, cellulose, collagen, synthetic conjugates, and more Details a wide variety of healthcare applications for polymeric biomaterials, such as orthopedic engineering, antibiotics, targeted drug delivery, and more Provides a detailed overview of polymer processing technologies and sterilization considerations

Offering nearly 7000 references-3900 more than the first edition-Polymeric Biomaterials, Second Edition is an up-to-the-minute source for plastics and biomedical engineers, polymer scientists, biochemists, molecular biologists, macromolecular chemists, pharmacists, cardiovascular and plastic surgeons, and graduate and medical students in these disciplines. Completely revised and updated, it includes coverage of genetic engineering, synthesis of biodegradable polymers, hydrogels, and mucoadhesive polymers, as well as polymers for dermacosmetic treatments, burn and wound dressings, orthopedic surgery, artificial joints, vascular prostheses, and in blood contacting systems.

Investigates the main polymers used in medicine, surgery, and pharmacy such as hydrogels, poly-saccharides, elastomers, hanes, and oligomers-evaluatin ability, permeability, viscoelasticil hesion, and behavior in the stedl

Polymers and polymer-based composites possess a wide spectrum of properties, which allow them to be used in a diverse range of medical applications. This volume in the book series New Concepts in Polymer Science deals with the application features of polymeric implants, their interaction with surrounding living tissues, the demands imposed upon the objects implanted and polymeric materials used for their manufacture, and the main types of polymers applied and their properties.Chapters 1-8 are devoted to various polymer applications in medical and biological fields; chapters 9-10 consider individual polymeric materials used in this field.This monograph is designed for use as a textbook for specializations in chemical and technological courses in universities, as well as a methodical manual and directory for scientists and researchers in both academia and industry.

Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, held in Alvor, Algarve, Portugal, 15-25 October 2001

Polymers are important and attractive biomaterials for researchers and clinical applications due to the ease of tailoring their chemical, physical and biological properties for target devices. Due to this versatility they are rapidly replacing other classes of biomaterials such as ceramics or metals. As a result, the demand for biomedical polymers has grown exponentially and supports a diverse and highly monetized research community. Currently worth $1.2bn in 2009 (up from $650m in 2000), biomedical polymers are expected to achieve a CAGR of 9.8% until 2015, supporting a current research community of approximately 28,000+. Summarizing the main advances in biopolymer development of the last decades, this work systematically covers both the physical science and biomedical engineering of the multidisciplinary field. Coverage extends across synthesis, characterization, design consideration and biomedical applications. The work supports scientists researching the formulation of novel polymers with desirable physical, chemical, biological, biomechanical and degradation properties for specific targeted biomedical applications.

Biomaterials are an indispensable element in improving human health and quality of life. Applications of biomaterials include diagnostics (gene arrays and biosensors), medical supplies (blood bags and surgical tools), therapeutic treatments (medical implants and devices), and emerging regenerative medicine (tissue-engineered skin and cartilage). Polymers, being organic, offer a versatility that is unmatched by metals and ceramics. The wide spectrum of physical, mechanical, and chemical properties provided by polymers has fueled the extensive research, development, and applications of polymeric biomaterials. The significance of polymers as biomaterials is reflected in the market size of medical polymers, estimated to be approximately $1 billion. Many of these polymers were initially developed as plastics, elastomers, and fibers for nonmedical industrial applications, but were later developed as biomedical-specific materials. With rapid growth in modern biology and interdisciplinary collaborative efforts, polymeric biomaterials are being fashioned into bioactive and biomimetic materials, with excellent biocompatibility.