No abstract

No abstract

A way to avoid or minimize the side effect that could result in drug delivery to cells with increased efficiency and performance in the health rehabilitation process is to use biocompatible and biodegradable drug carriers. These are essentially biomaterials that are metallic, ceramic, or polymeric in nature. The sources of these materials must be biological in its entire ramification. The classification, synthesis, processing, and the applications to which these materials are put are the essential components of having suitable target cell drug carriers. This chapter will be devoted to discussing biomaterials suitable as drug carrier for use in the health-related matters of rehabilitation.

The development of synthetic biomaterials for bone fixations has greatly enhanced orthopedic surgery efficiency over the last two decades. With the advancement in medical technology, several materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers and composites have been considered over the years for possible implantation into the body. These materials however, must have the following required properties that will qualify them as potential medical devices: biocompatibility, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, creep resistance, etc. The quest in making up for the disadvantages of metallic fixations has culminated in a paradigm shift to the use of biodegradable polymers. Biodegradable polymers are lightweight materials with low elastic moduli between 0.4-7 GPa. These materials can be engineered to degrade at rates that will slowly transfer load to the bone. In addition, complications like corrosion, release of metal ions and stress shielding associated with metal implants are eliminated. This review considers studies carried out on most commonly investigated and widely used synthetic biodegradable polymers, their successes and limitations. It also provides process for efficient utilization of these polymers as bone fixtures without inflammation and stress shielding.

No abstract