Nanogels in biomedical field are promising and innovative materials as dispersions of hydrogel nanoparticles based on crosslinked polymeric networks that have been called as next generation drug delivery systems due to their relatively high drug encapsulation capacity, uniformity, tunable size, ease of preparation, minimal toxicity, stability in the presence of serum, and stimuli responsiveness. Nanogels show a great potential in chemotherapy, diagnosis, organ targeting and delivery of bioactive substances. The main subjects reviewed in this article concentrates on: (i) Nanogel assimilation in the nanomedicine domain; (ii) Features and advantages of nanogels, the main characteristics, such as: swelling capacity, stimuli sensitivity, the great surface area, functionalization, bioconjugation and encapsulation of bioactive substances, which are taken into account in designing the structures according to the application; some data on the advantages and limitations of the preparation techniques; (iii) Recent progress in nanogels as a carrier of genetic material, protein and vaccine. The majority of the scientific literature presents the multivalency potential of bioconjugated nanogels in various conditions. Today's research focuses over the overcoming of the restrictions imposed by cost, some medical requirements and technological issues, for nanogels' commercial scale production and their integration as a new platform in biomedicine.

(1) Background: The fascinating properties of currently synthesized aerogels associated with the flexible approach of sol-gel chemistry play an important role in the emergence of special biomedical applications. Although it is increasingly known and mentioned, the potential of aerogels in the medical field is not sufficiently explored. Interest in aerogels has increased greatly in recent decades due to their special properties, such as high surface area, excellent thermal and acoustic properties, low density and thermal conductivity, high porosity, flame resistance and humidity, and low refractive index and dielectric constant. On the other hand, high manufacturing costs and poor mechanical strength limit the growth of the market. (2) Results: In this paper, we analyze more than 180 articles from recent literature studies focused on the dynamics of aerogels research to summarize the technologies used in manufacturing and the properties of materials based on natural polymers from renewable sources. Biomedical applications of these bio-based materials are also introduced. (3) Conclusions: Due to their complementary functionalities (bioactivity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and unique chemistry), bio-based materials provide a vast capability for utilization in the field of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary scientific research.

Aqueous mixtures of Pluronic F127 and poly(vinyl alcohol) (20% polymer concentration in the system) were prepared and investigated by rheology and laser particle size distribution, in order to obtain temperature responsive gels for biomedical applications. The influence of the gelation conditions and system composition on the viscoelastic parameters and particle size distribution (which are very sensitive to the sol-gel transition process) was followed. The investigations realized at physiological temperature (37°C) showed the thixotropic profile of the gels, the yield stress induced by the Pluronic presence, and the high elasticity evidenced in the creep-recovery tests.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is considered the latest technology that creates breakthrough innovations and addresses complex medical problems. This is clearly demonstrated by the promising results obtained in regenerative medicine, diagnosis, implants, artificial tissues and organs. This paper provides a basic understanding of the fundamentals of 3D/4D printing along with bioprinting processes. We are briefly discussing about the main printing systems including stereolithography, inkjet 3D printing, extrusion, laser-assisted printing, selective laser melting and Poly-Jet printing. The basic requirements for the selection of successful inks based on polymers, polymer blends, and composites are described. Furthermore, the on-going transition from 3D to 4D printing is highlighted with emphasis on the newest applications in the medical area. Also, a glimpse into the future possibilities and benefits provided by machine learning in the additive manufacturing field is emphasized. Machine learning can improve printing efficiency by using generative design and testing in the pre-fabrication stage. Finally, important limitations and prospects are identified. Within the next few years, AM is set to become an important component in patient-specific medical technologies.

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Coronary artery stents used for the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease develop the practice of interventional cardiology after they were first introduced in the mid-1980s. Since then, with dozens of companies involved in the development of new and innovative anti-restenotic drugs, polymeric coatings and stent platforms has made significant progress in this area. Today, the challenge is the conception of the "ideal" coronary stent designed to respond to the patient health difficulty. In this context, the literature in the field is quite dynamic and successful. The aim of this article is to provide a systematic review on the interdisciplinary field literature of the evolution of these medical devices by describing the current status, importance and different types of stents used in clinical practice. After the presentation of cardiovascular problems associated to stenting therapy, the authors describe the bare metal stents, the generations of drug eluting stents and the future in progress directions regarding: the stents based on biodegradable/bioresorbable polymers, polymer-free metal platforms, fully biodegradable scaffolds, as well as drug delivery mediated by stent-targeted magnetic nanoparticles.