ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the composition and structure–property relationships of synthetic polymers that are critical to their applications as biomaterials in implants and therapeutic devices, and describes many of the common polymeric biomaterials to exemplify these principles. Polymethyl methacrylate was the first successful acrylic polymer used as a biomaterial. Photopolymerizable acrylic hydrogels that also have degradable poly sequences in their structures have been developed as sealants and antiadhesion gels for surgical applications. Polyurethanes are tough polymers that are used as pumping bladders in heart-assist devices, including the total artificial heart, and also in pacemaker leads. The half-life of a degradable polyester can be lengthened by adding a more hydrophobic comonomer, such as poly caprolactone, which slows down the degradation rate by its lower water uptake. Water absorption is also important if there are hydrolyzable bonds in the backbone of the polymer, such as ester groups.
