Biocompatibility of degradable biomaterials:a study on the factors determining the inflammatory response against degradable polymers

摘要

The study reported in this thesis was undertaken to obtain more insight in the role of various factors determining the outcome of the interaction between biodegradable polymers and the host in which they are implanted. In the end, the outcome of this interaction determines the success or failure of the implant. Up till now, bioresorbable polymers, such as poly(L-lactide) and poly(g1ycolide) are mostly applied in suture material. However, much research is conducted for other clinical applications. E.g. artificial skin, meniscus prosthesis, abdominal wall prosthesis, nerve guides, bone plates for repairing fractures, small calibre vascular prosthesis, parodontal filters and drug delivery systems. There are many reasons for choosing a bioresorbable material. However, most of them can ultimately be derived from the adage of causing minimal damage to the host. Thus, no foreign material must be left in the host when a biomaterial has performed its function. This goes for drug delivery systems, as well as for those applications in which the function(s) of an organ or tissue is temporarily replaced by a biomaterial or a device made from biomaterials. Only a few of the vast array of polymers applied nowadays are bioresorbable and thus biodegradable.