A comprehensive overview of biodegradable polymers, covering everything from synthesis, characterization, and degradation mechanisms while also introducing useful applications, such as drug delivery systems and biomaterial-based regenerative therapies. An introductory section deals with such fundamentals as basic chemical reactions during degradation, the complexity of biological environments and experimental methods for monitoring degradation processes. The result is a reliable reference source for those wanting to learn more about this important class of polymer materials, as well as scientists in the field seeking a deeper insight.

A comprehensive overview of biodegradable polymers, covering everything from synthesis, characterization, and degradation mechanisms while also introducing useful applications, such as drug delivery systems and biomaterial-based regenerative therapies. An introductory section deals with such fundamentals as basic chemical reactions during degradation, the complexity of biological environments and experimental methods for monitoring degradation processes.The result is a reliable reference source for those wanting to learn more about this important class of polymer materials, as well as scientists in the field seeking a deeper insight.

PrefacePOLYESTERSHistorical BackgroundPreparative MethodsPhysical PropertiesDegradation MechanismsBeyond Classical Poly(Hydroxycarboxylic Acids)BIOTECHNOLOGICALLY PRODUCED BIODEGRADABLE POLYESTERSIntroductionHistoryPolyhydroxyalkanoates - Granules MorphologyBiosynthesis and Biodegradability of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) and Other PolyhydroxyalkanoatesExtraction and RecoveryPhysical, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of PolyhydroxyalkanoatesFuture DirectionsPOLYANHYDRIDESIntroductionTypes of PolyanhydrideSynthesisPropertiesIn Vitro Degradation and Erosion of PolyanhydridesIn Vivo Degradation and Elimination of PolyanhydridesToxicological Aspects of PolyanhydridesFabrication of Delivery SystemsProduction and World MarketBiomedical ApplicationsPOLY(ORTHO ESTERS)Introductionpoe IIpoe IVSolid PolymersGel-Like MaterialsPolymers Based on an Alternate Diketene AcetalConclusionsBIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS CMPOSED OF NATURALLY OCCURRING ALPHA-AMINO ACIDSIntroductionAmino Acid-Based Biodegradable Polymers AABBPs)Conclusion and PerspectivesBIODEGRADABLE POLYURETHANES AND POLY(ESTER AMIDE)SChemistry and Properties of Biodegradable PolyurethanesBiodegradation Mechanisms of PolyurethanesNew Polymerization Trends to Obtain Degradable PolyurethanesAliphatic Poly(ester amide)s: A Family of Biodegradable Thermoplastics with Interest as New BiomaterialsCARBOHYDRATESIntroductionAlginateCarrageenanCellulose and Its DerivativesMicrobial CelluloseChitin and ChitosanDextranGellanGuar GumHyaluronic Acid (Hyaluronan)PuululanScleroglucanXanthanSummaryBIODEGRADABLE SHAPE-MEMORY POLYMERSIntroductionGeneral Concept of SMPsClasses of Degradable SMPsApplications of Biodegradable SMPsBIODEGRADABLE ELASTIC HYDROGELS FOR TISSUE EXPANDER APPLICATIONIntroductionSynthesis of Elastic HydrogelsPhysical Properties of Elastic HydrogelsApplications of Elastic HydrogelsElastic Hydrogels for Tissue Expander ApplicationsBIODEGRADABLE DENDRIMERS AND DENDRITIC POLYMERSIntroductionChallenges for Designing Biodegradable DendrimersDesign of Self-Immolative Biodegradable DendrimersBiological Implications of Biodegradable DendrimersFuture Perspectives of Biodegradable DendrimersConcluding RemarksANALYTICAL METHODS FOR MONITORING BIODEGRADATION PROCESSES OF ENVIRONMENTALLY DEGRADABLE POLYMERSIntroductionSome BackgroundDefining BiodegradabilityMechanisms of Polymer DegradationMeasuring Biodegradation of PolymersConclusionsMODELING AND SIMULATION OF MICROBIAL DEPOLYMERIZATION PROCESSES OF XENOBIOTIC POLYMERSIntroductionAnalysis of Exogeneous DepolymerizationMaterials and MethodsAnalysis of Endogenous DepolymerizationDiscussionREGENERATIVE MEDICINE: RECONSTRUCTION OF TRACHEAL AND PHARYNGEAL MUCOSAL DEFECTS IN HEAD AND NECK SURGERYIntroductionRegenerative Medicine for the Reconstruction of the Upper Aerodigestive TractMethods and Novel Therapeutical Options in Head and Neck SurgeryVascularization of Tissue-Engineered ConstructsApplication of Stem Cells in Regenerative MedicineConclusionBIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS AS SCAFFOLDS FOR TISSUE ENGINEERINGIntroductionShort Overview of Regenerative BiologyMinimum Requirements for Tissue EngineeringStructure of ScaffoldsBiodegradable Polymers for Tissue EngineeringSome Examples for Clinical Application of ScaffoldConclusionsDRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMSIntroductionThe Clinical Need for Drug Delivery SystemsPoly(Alpha-Hydroxyl Acids)PolyanhydridesManufacturing RoutesExamples of Biodegradable Polymer Drug Delivery Systems Under DevelopmentConcluding RemarksOXO-BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS: PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVESIntroductionControlled-Lifetime PlasticsThe Abiotic Oxidation of PolyolefinsEnhanced Oxo-Biodegradation of PolyolefinsProcessability and Recovery of Oxo-Biodegradable PolyolefinsConcluding Remarks