Content area
Full text
A new class of implantable medical materials constructed from naturally derived and renewably sourced polymers - is poised to transform clinical medicine.
The search for novel materials that have optimum compatibility with the human body and the emergence of a new sustainable bioeconomy have begun to intersect. Naturally sourced biopolymers may be ideal for the design of new biomedical devices, as such polymers can effectively interface with human cells and tissues. Moreover, the chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of bio-based materials can be easily tuned to match the native properties of a variety of target tissues.
This article discusses the evolving field of bio-based materials for biomedical implants, and provides examples of successful applications of these materials in wound closure, tissue repair, and tissue regeneration.
What are bio-based materials?
Bio-based materials, also referred to as biopolymers or bio-derived materials, are engineered materials made from substances derived, in whole or in part, from living matter. These materials are classified into three main categories based on their origin and production (1):
* biomass derived. These bio-based materials are directly extracted or removed from biomass. Examples include polysaccharides (carbohydrates) such as starch, cellulose, alginates, carrageenan, pectin, dextran, chitin, and chitosan, and proteins such as casein, glutein, whey, silk proteins, soy proteins, and corn proteins.
* biomonomer derived. These materials are produced via classical chemical synthesis using monomers obtained from renewable agricultural resources. An important example is polylactic acid (PLA) - a polyester made from renewably derived lactic acid monomers derived from renewable sources. The monomers themselves can be obtained through fermentation of agricultural carbohydrate feedstocks, such as corn starch.
* microorganism derived. The polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family of polymers is the most well-known material produced by microorganisms. Other examples include xanthan and bacterial cellulose.
Biomedical material specs
A biomedical material is a nonviable material used in a medical device, intended to interact with biological systems (2). An essential characteristic of biomedical materials is biocompatibility - the ability to function appropriately in the human body to produce the desired clinical outcome without causing adverse effects.
Biomedical materials must meet stringent performance requirements. They must have sufficient physical, biological, and mechanical similarity to the natural physiological environment. In addition, the biomedical material construct and any degradation products must be nontoxic...