Polymers in Medicine

The advantages of using polymer materials over other chemicals in the medical industry have made them one of the most used in this industry. In general, the use of polymers in medicine, in the manufacture of medical equipment, and also in medical implants are widely used today.

In this article, due to the wide range of applications of polymer materials in medical equipment and medical implants, we will continue to examine these materials in medical implants.

The consumables used in the body can be classified into metal materials, ceramic materials, polymer materials, and composite materials; among the materials used for biological purposes, polymer materials have a special place. Biomaterials are compounds of natural or synthetic origin that have various applications in the medical industry.

Biomaterials to replace tissue, restore tissue function with different methods, improve tissue function, correct and eliminate disorders, etc., are used in various ways, such as in suture thread, bone plates, replacement joints, heart valves, intraocular lenses, etc.

In the following, we first take a look at the characteristics of polymer biomaterials. In addition, since biomaterials are primarily used in orthopedic implants, in the rest of this article, we will examine their use in cases such as joint replacement, bone replacement, bone filler, joint connection, fracture repair, etc.

Properties of polymeric biomaterials

In terms of function in the body, polymeric biomaterials are divided into two categories. Polymers in medicine are bio-compatible, and they are also sustainable. The other category is biocompatible and biodegradable, which means they slowly break down in the body and disappear.

Biomaterials, whether biodegradable or non-biodegradable (stable), should have a series of physical-mechanical characteristics when they come into contact with body tissue or the living environment in general, depending on whether They use it.

The most important things polymers in medicine must have are tensile strength, bending strength, compressibility, impact ability, fatigue, creep, tearing, corrosion, abrasion, and cracking due to impact, as well as factors such as not being toxic or pathogenic. Immune reactions and blood clotting should not occur if the object is unstable in the body, the components resulting from its destruction should not be toxic or harmful, etc.