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Biodegradable Materials

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Regenerative Medicine

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Abstract

The ability of polymers to be degraded in physiological environments makes them interesting candidates for various medical applications. Degradation and metabolisation or excretion of polymeric implants can avoid a second surgery for the removal of an implant. Biodegradable materials can serve as a temporary substitute of the extracellular matrix or as matrix in controlled drug release systems, which both can be utilized in Regenerative Therapies.

This chapter gives an overview about polymeric materials established in clinical use such as polyesters, polyurethanes, polyanhydrides, or carbohydrates. It describes further their synthesis and exemplary applications such as surgical sutures. Finally the importance of a continuing development of novel materials for future applications is pointed out, since the number of potential applications in the medical field is expanding rapidly.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, SFB 760) and the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) for supporting the interdisciplinary research in the field of tissue regeneration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Biomaterial Development, Institute of Polymer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Kantstr. 55, 14513, Teltow, Germany

    Michael Schroeter Ph.D.

  2. Julius Wolff Institute and Berlin-Brandenburg Centre for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany

    Britt Wildemann (Prof.)

  3. Centre for Biomaterial Development and Berlin-Brandenburg Centre for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Institute of Polymer Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Kantstr. 55, 14513, Teltow, Germany

    Andreas Lendlein (Prof.)

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  1. Michael Schroeter Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Andreas Lendlein .

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  1. Klinik und Poliklinik für Herzchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Rostock, Schillingallee 35, Rostock, 18057, Germany

    Gustav Steinhoff

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Schroeter, M., Wildemann, B., Lendlein, A. (2013). Biodegradable Materials. In: Steinhoff, G. (eds) Regenerative Medicine. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5690-8_21

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