Polymeric Medical Materials

- Flexibility (tubing, seals, vascular...)
- Sorption/diffusion (drug delivery, contact lens...)
- Formability (bone cement, dental fillings...)
- Wear resistance (prosthetic joints...)
- Specific stiffness of composites (crutches, wheelchairs...)

Polymers have been successfully used to aid repair and modification of the human body. The applications for polymers in the medical field cover an enormous range. Some example application areas are: Cardiovascular (heart valves, heart assist devices, blood vessel prosthesis, stents etc.), Internal Artificial Organs (kidney, lung, muscles etc.) Skin and Soft Tissue (skin, wound care) Ophthalmic and Craniofacial (contact lenses, cornea implants, facial surgery), Orthopaedic and Dental (joint replacement, limb replacement, dental implants) and mobility aids (crutches, wheelchairs).

Materials selection

Only a small number of polymers are available as medical grades for medical applications and an even smaller number are used for implants. The choice of polymer depends on the extent of contact with body fluids, internal and external tissue as prescribed by the regulatory framework. In addition, thermal and mechanical properties and possible degradation over time must also be taken into consideration. Typical polymers and their uses are listed below.