ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses the attention of the participants on several aspects of degradable biomaterials, which seem to be of great importance regardless of the goals: basic knowledge or applications. It draws attention towards another trick which was found after sterilization of LA/GA polymers by γ-rays. In spite of the tricks, degradable materials are now receiving great attention with respect to many therapeutic applications. All the time-limited disorders are related to the ability of living systems to self-repair. Inorganic materials like degradable ceramics or corals can provide suitable solutions to a limited number of temporary therapeutic problems. According to the experience in the field of aliphatic polyesters, one can say that the degradation of biodegradable biomaterials depends on a great number of factors and phenomena. Although the term "Biomaterials" has been selected as reflecting non-viable materials used in a medical device, intended to interact with biological systems, the term "Biodegradable" has been used for both environmental and human lives, so far.