Polymers are large molecules composed of multiple repeating units called monomers. Biomedical polymers include biocompatible and non-toxic, degradable or non-degradable, water-soluble or insoluble, hard or soft, rigid or flexible, hydrophobic or hydrophilic, and bioactive or non-bioactive materials. According to their source, biomedical polymers can be divided into natural polymers and synthetic polymers. The main difference between the two types of polymers is in structure. Many natural polymers usually spontaneously fold into compact shapes in complex ways, and their complex structures have important impact on their biological functions. Instead, most synthetic polymers have simpler and more random structures. However, synthetic polymers show good controllability in the composition, structure, mechanical properties and degradation behavior, although they often lack the inherent biological activity. In contrast, natural polymers are generally biodegradable, available in large quantities, environmentally friendly, and interact well with biological units.
Biomedical polymers are extensively developed for promising applications in biomedical fields such as drug delivery, diagnosis, biosensing, and regenerative medicine. Biodegradable polymers generally have the ability to be broken down by microorganisms or enzymes under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Non-biodegradable polymers show significant mechanical strength and therefore their usage in the osteo-related application is more preferred. The selection of appropriate polymers for drug delivery can overcome the common problems of drugs, such as short half-life, poor bioavailability, and high frequency of administration. Safety, efficacy, and drug targeting to specific organs can also be addressed by the selection of appropriate polymers.
Amerigo Scientific offers a wide range of natural and synthetic polymers with advanced properties for different biomedical development and research applications.
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