Biopolymers in medical implants: a brief review

Abstract

Biopolymers have been established as a promising class of materials with a wide range of applications, of which medicine stands out. Characteristics such as biocompatibility, biodegradation and non cytotoxicity make these material excellent candidates to be used in implantable materials. This review paper examines the potential of different biopolymers including polylactic acid (PLA), silk or chitosan, for application in implantable medical devices.