Biodegradable Polyurethanes: Synthesis and Applications in Regenerative Medicine

摘要

Biostable polyurethanes (PURs) have been incorporated in biomedical devices since the 1960s. Thenmechanisms of degradation and compositions with improved in vivo biostability have been investigatednextensively. In recent years, biodegradable PURs have been investigated for applications in regenerativenmedicine. In contrast to the biostable implants, these biomaterials are designed to undergo controlledndegradation in vivo and promote ingrowth of new tissue. Tissue-engineered scaffolds have been fabricatednfrom biodegradable PURs using a variety of techniques, including thermally induced phase separation, saltnleaching, wet spinning, electrospinning, and carbon dioxide foaming. These materials have been reportednto support the ingrowth of cells and tissue in vitro and in vivo, and undergo controlled degradation tonnoncytotoxic decomposition products. Due to their tunable biological, mechanical, and physicochemicalnproperties, biodegradable PURs present compelling future opportunities as scaffolds for regeneration ofntissue. This review article summarizes recent advances made in the synthesis of biodegradable PURs andnthe application of these materials as scaffolds for regenerative medicine.