Offering nearly 7000 references-3900 more than the first edition-Polymeric Biomaterials, Second Edition is an up-to-the-minute source for plastics and biomedical engineers, polymer scientists, biochemists, molecular biologists, macromolecular chemists, pharmacists, cardiovascular and plastic surgeons, and graduate and medical students in these disciplines. Completely revised and updated, it includes coverage of genetic engineering, synthesis of biodegradable polymers, hydrogels, and mucoadhesive polymers, as well as polymers for dermacosmetic treatments, burn and wound dressings, orthopedic surgery, artificial joints, vascular prostheses, and in blood contacting systems.

The third edition of a bestseller, this comprehensive reference presents the latest polymer developments and most up-to-date applications of polymeric biomaterials in medicine. Expanded into two volumes, the first volume covers the structure and properties of synthetic and natural polymers as well as bioresorbable hybrid membranes, drug delivery systems, cell bioassay systems, and electrospinning for regenerative medicine. This substantially larger resource includes state-of-the-art research and successful breakthroughs in applications that have occurred in the last ten years.

Biomaterials have had a major impact on the practice of contemporary medicine and patient care. Growing into a major interdisciplinary effort involving chemists, biologists, engineers, and physicians, biomaterials development has enabled the creation of high-quality devices, implants, and drug carriers with greater biocompatibility and biofunctiona

The third edition of a bestseller, this comprehensive reference presents the latest polymer developments and most up-to-date applications of polymeric biomaterials in medicine. Expanded into two volumes, the first volume covers the structure and properties of synthetic and natural polymers as well as bioresorbable hybrid membranes, drug delivery systems, cell bioassay systems, and electrospinning for regenerative medicine. This substantially larger resource includes state-of-the-art research and successful breakthroughs in applications that have occurred in the last ten years.

This book is concerned with polymeric hydrogels, which are considered as one of the most promising types of new polymer-based materials. Each chapter in this book describes a selected class of polymeric hydrogels, such as superabsorbent hybrid nanohydrogels, conducting polymer hydrogels, polysaccharide-based or protein-based hydrogels, or gels based on synthetic polymers. In this way, the book also addresses some of the fascinating properties and applications of polymeric hydrogels: they are three-dimensional, hydrophilic, polymeric networks that can absorb, swell and retain large quantities of water or aqueous fluids. In combination with metal nanoparticles, nanofibrils or nanowhiskers, which may be embedded in the gels, they find widespread applications, ranging from agriculture, and waste water treatment, over electronics, to pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Applications mentioned in this book include electro sensors, capacitors, electromechanical actuators, and even artificial muscles.

Fundamental Biomaterials: Polymers provides current information on findings and developments of biopolymers and their conversion from base materials to medical devices. Chapters analyze the types of polymers and discuss a range of biomedical applications. It is the first title in a three volume set, with each reviewing the most important and commonly used classes of biomaterials and providing comprehensive information on classification, materials properties, behavior, biocompatibility and applications. The book concludes with essential information on wear, lifetime prediction and cytotoxicity of biomaterials. This title will be of use to researchers and professionals in development stages, but will also help medical researchers understand and effectively communicate the requirements of a biomaterial for a specific application. Further, with the recent introduction of a number of interdisciplinary bio-related undergraduate and graduate programs, this book will be an appropriate reference volume for large number of students at undergraduate and post graduate levels. - Provides current information on findings and developments of biopolymers and their conversion from base materials to medical devices - Includes analyses of the types of polymers and a discussion of a range of biomedical applications - Presents essential information on wear, lifetime prediction and cytotoxicity of biomaterials - Explores both theoretical and practical aspects of polymers in biomaterials

Thermoreversible gelation is a comparatively new and growing area of polymer science. It encompasses many different systems from synthetic polymers to biopolymers. Abundant literature on the subject is scattered in many different journals, but this is the first book to gather together the current knowledge on both polymer and biopolymers thermoreversible gels. A multidisciplinary approach is taken, and extensive coverage of experimental results from electron and optical microscopy, light scattering and (new or neuron) diffraction techniques is provided. The book is organized into three main sections: Gel formation, thermal behavior and phase diagrams Gel morphology and molecular structure, gelation mechanisms Mechanical properties Polymers and bipolymers are treated separately in each section. The text is supplemented by four appendices: Phase diagrams Diffraction by helices Scattering by semi-rigid macromolecules; and elasticity of rigid networks

The third edition of a bestseller, this substantially expanded reference, now in two volumes, presents the latest polymer developments and most up-to-date applications of polymeric biomaterials in medicine. This volume addresses the processing of polymeric biomaterials into specific forms that ensure biocompatibility and biodegradability for various uses in the medical and pharmaceutical arenas. It covers applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, anticancer therapies, hydrogels, and bioartificial organs. This comprehensive resource includes state-of-the-art research and successful breakthroughs in applications that have occurred in the last ten years.

Nearly 4000 years ago, the Egyptians used linen, a natural polymeric material, for suturing wounds. About 600 B.C., the Indians used other forms of natural polymers such as cotton, horse hair, and leather in repairing wounds. Wound closure procedures using silk sutures, based mostly on polypeptides, are likely to have been practiced during the second century. Surgical application of natural polymers continued to represent the major use of polymers until the twentieth century. Not too long after the development of several major synthetic polymers, their use in biomedical applications has attracted the attention of many re searchers and clinicians. Over the past few years, interest in the biomedical applications of polymers has grown considerably. This has been the result of the inevitable collaborative efforts of in novative materials scientists, engineers and clinicians. The es tablishment of the Society for Biomaterials, in our opinion, cata lyzed the growing interest in the use of polymers for biomedical application. In a major effort to bring team players even closer, a five-day symposium on "Polymers as Biomaterials" was held in Seattle, Washing ton, in March, 1983 as part of the national meeting of the American Chemical Society. The symposium was designed to provide a forum for communicating technical and clinical data to colleagues with a broad spectrum of interest in the biomedical applications of polymers.

Engineering of Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Systems: Beyond Polyethylene Glycol examines the combined issues of PEGylation and viable biomaterials as alternatives. With a strong focus on polymeric biomaterials, the book first reviews the major issues associated with PEGylation and its use in vivo. Chapters then focus on alternative polymer systems for drug delivery systems. Finally, nanoparticles and future perspectives are examined. This book is a valuable resource for scientists and researchers in biomaterials, pharmaceuticals and nanotechnology, and all those who wish to broaden their knowledge in this field. - Provides a self-contained work for the field of biomaterials for drug delivery - Summarizes the current knowledge on PEGylation and strategies for bypassing it - Presents research on an important, though under-represented issue in biomaterials - Written by a world-class team of research scientists, engineers and clinicians