ABSTRACT
The biomedical sector requests more and more complex structures in attempts to ful…ll the requirements of a multitude of different applications. For this reason, polymer scientists exploit existing compounds and also design new compounds with properties that can be considered as new materials for biomedical applications [1,2]. The applications of polymers are essential in surgery, for prosthetic systems, and in pharmacology, for drug formulation and controlled drug delivery. Polymeric biomaterials are usually used under complex, demanding conditions, and must ful…ll stringent requirements relating to their chemical, biological, and physicomechanical properties. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new polymeric biomaterials that can satisfy the demanding performance requirements and standards required for these applications [3]. The development of innovative polymeric biomaterials can be an engine of innovation for new medical treatments and therapies. The existing knowledge clearly shows that the careful optimization of the chemical structure of polymers used in medical implants can result in better clinical outcomes for the implant recipients. Biodegradable polymers play a signi…cant role in the preparation of polymeric materials for biomedical applications. They are preferred candidates for developing therapeutic devices such as temporary prostheses, three-dimensional porous structures as scaffolds for tissue engineering, and as controlled/sustained release drug delivery vehicles [4].
