M. Dadsetan
Evonik Corporation,
United States
Keywords: resorbable polymers, medical devices, implants, degradation
Summary:
Resorbable biomaterials are transforming the landscape of implantable medical devices by offering temporary support while promoting tissue healing and integration. These materials degrade safely within the body, eliminating the need for surgical removal and reducing long-term complications. This presentation explores the development and translation of resorbable polymer technologies—specifically polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polycaprolactone (PCL), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and surface-modified variants into functional implants designed to address diverse clinical challenges. The presentation will begin with an overview of the clinical need for resorbable implants across multiple therapeutic areas, including orthopedic, soft tissue repair, nerve regeneration, and vascular applications. Traditional permanent implants often provoke chronic inflammation, foreign body response, or mechanical mismatch with native tissues. Resorbable polymers offer a solution by providing temporary mechanical support while gradually transferring load to regenerating tissue. However, successful translation requires careful tuning of material properties to balance strength, flexibility, degradation rate, and biocompatibility. Fabrication techniques such as 3D printing, electrospinning, extrusion, and molding are pivotal in engineering implantable structures with precise architecture and tailored surface properties. These methods enable the creation of biomimetic designs that support tissue regeneration and functional integration. 3D printing allows for the fabrication of complex, patient-specific geometries with controlled porosity and mechanical gradients, making it ideal for load-bearing implants and customized scaffolds. Electrospinning produces nanofibrous scaffolds that closely mimic the extracellular matrix, providing topographical cues for cell adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Extrusion and molding are well-suited for scalable production of uniform implants with consistent mechanical properties. The presentation will highlight several examples of functional implants developed using these materials, including bioactive nerve conduits and resorbable scaffolds for soft tissue support. These devices are engineered to degrade in synchrony with tissue healing, minimizing the risk of chronic inflammation or mechanical failure. Mechanical testing, including tensile and peel strength assessments, is used to validate device performance, while in vitro and vivo studies assess biocompatibility and regenerative outcomes. Translating these technologies from bench to bedside involves navigating challenges in manufacturing, sterilization, and regulatory approval. Material consistency, scalability, and integration with surgical workflows are critical for clinical adoption. The talk will discuss strategies for overcoming these barriers and outline the regulatory considerations for resorbable implants, including biocompatibility testing, degradation profiling, and safety assessments. The talk will also address translational challenges such as sterilization, regulatory pathways, and integration into surgical workflows. By bridging material science with clinical functionality, this work contributes to the advancement of biomaterials-enabled medical devices across multiple therapeutic areas. In conclusion, resorbable polymer technologies hold significant promise for advancing medical implants that are safer, more effective, and better aligned with the body’s natural healing processes. By combining material innovation with thoughtful device design, these technologies can address longstanding clinical challenges and open new pathways for regenerative medicine and minimally invasive therapies.