Bioresorbable materials are a class of polymers and ceramics that can safely degrade and dissolve in the body over time after fulfilling their intended function. These materials are engineered to degrade at a rate corresponding to the healing process so that they do not remain as permanent foreign bodies in tissue. Common bioresorbable polymers used for implants include polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and polycaprolactone (PCL). When implanted, these materials slowly break down into natural metabolites – lactic acid and glycolic acid – that can be excreted through normal metabolic pathways. Bioresorbable ceramics like calcium phosphate are also used as they degrade into calcium and phosphate ions essential for bone healing.
Benefits of Bioresorbable Implants
There are several key benefits of using Bioresorbable Implants instead of permanent metallic ones. Firstly, as they degrade, they eliminate the need for any future implant removal surgeries. This reduces lifelong risks, recovery time, and costs associated with implant removal. Secondly, as the implants dissolve over time, they allow natural tissues to regenerate in place without any foreign body. For applications in pediatric patients, this circumvents issues with growth constraints from permanent implants. Bioresorbable implants also minimize stress shielding effects and implant-related complications like infection at the implantation site in the long run. As the load is transferred back to the tissue, it enhances bone regeneration. Their degradation profile can be tailored to match tissue healing kinetics thereby providing mechanical support only during the critical healing phase.
Application in Orthopedic Fixation Devices
Bioresorbable implants have widespread applications in orthopedic surgery. They are commonly used as fixation devices like screws, pins, rods or plates to stabilize bone fractures and facilitate new bone growth. Traditionally, fixation of small bone fractures employed the use of metallic implants like titanium that remained in the body permanently. However, bioresorbable implants have fully replaced them in many cases. For example, PLA screws and pins are routinely used in hand, foot, facial and cranial surgeries. They provide the needed stability for 6-12 months until fracture healing is complete, after which they safely dissolve without requiring follow up surgeries. For large bone fractures, bioresorbable rods, plates, and screws made of composites or PLA/PGA copolymers structurally support bone for 12-24 months and then degrade.
Use in Other Specialties
Bioresorbable implants have widespread applicability beyond orthopedics. In plastic and reconstructive surgery, they are used for temporary wound closure and soft tissue repairs instead of sutures and staples. As they degrade, they alleviate discomfort associated with foreign body removal. In dentistry, bioresorbable membranes made of collagen are placed over bone grafts to aid guided tissue regeneration and bone formation in jaw reconstruction. They selectively allow new bone cells while preventing soft tissue invasion. Similarly, in neurosurgery, bioresorbable polymers are evaluated as temporary barriers to minimize brain scar tissue formation post-surgery. Their tailored degradation helps control drug release for applications in drug-eluting bioresorbable stents and implants. Overall, bioresorbable technology enables minimally invasive procedures with lifelike regeneration outcomes across many clinical specialties.
Regulatory Approval and Commercialization Challenges
Despite clear advantages, bioresorbable implants are still not universally adopted in clinical practice. One major hurdle is the stringent regulatory approval process for materials designed to degrade inside the body. Extensive preclinical and clinical testing is required to demonstrate biocompatibility, appropriate resorption profile, desired mechanical properties over time and safety. Only a few bioresorbable polymer formulations and devices have received approval so far from regulatory agencies like the FDA. High research and development costs add to the final product cost, making widespread adoption challenging. Educating surgeons about subtle differences from metallic devices and addressing perceived risks also requires time and effort. Standardized performance benchmarks need to be established via consensus protocols. With continued innovation and growing clinical evidence, bioresorbable implants are poised to replace traditionals and drive a new generation of regenerative medical solutions.
The future looks bright for bioresorbable technology with many exciting opportunities and applications on the horizon. Rsearchers are working on enhancing mechanical properties of materials, precisely controlling degradation rates, developing composite structures with tunable properties, modifying surfaces for infection resistance and improving processing techniques. Tailored drug-eluting formulations can enable sustained therapeutics delivery. Tissue engineering approaches may combine them with cells and growth factors for fully resorbable scaffolds. Their use is being evaluated for applications beyond hard tissues like soft tissue regeneration, vascular grafts, sutures and even temporary electronic implants. With advancements, cost reductions and greater acceptance, bioresorbable implants will revolutionize current practices and enable an authentic healing experience for patients worldwide. Though challenges remain, the potential to restore natural function without lifelong implant dependence brings us closer to the ultimate goal of regenerative medicine.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public Source, Desk Research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it