A slide share about Natural & Synthetic Polymer in medicine. Figures, information's are collected from peer reviewed journals with latest information.

1. Natural and Synthetic
Polymers in Medicine
Shah Rucksana Akhter URME
Organic Chemical Technology
Politechnika Krakowska
Krakow, Poland
May, 2022

2. AGENDA
1.What is Polymer and why in
medicine.
2.History
3.Classification of Synthetic &
natural polymers
4. Natural & Synthetic polymeric
materials
5. Merits and demerits of Natural
& Synthetic polymer
6. Types of Polymers & Application
7.Natural & Synthetic polymeric
scaffold composites
8. Smart Polymeric Materials
9. Global Market of Polymers
10. Conclusions & References

3. What is Polymer?
A polymer is any of a class of natural or synthetic substances composed of
very large molecules, called macromolecules, which are multiples of simpler
chemical units called monomers.
Polymer
Natural Synthetic
Classification of
Polymers based on
source

4. Why Polymers in Medicine?
Medicine
Tissue
adhesives
Vascular
grafts
Contact and
intraocular
lenses
Dental
composites
Materials
for cosmetic
implants
Suture
materials
Pharmaceuticals
Flocculating
agents
Coating
materials
Packaging
Binding
Emulsifying
Suspending

5. History
A Brief Timeline of Polymers in Medicine
1860’s:
Aseptic
surgery
introduced
1900’s:
Metal bone
plates used for
breaks and
fracture
1947’s:
pMMA used in
cornea
replacement
1950-60’s:
Artificial heart
and Dialysis
machines
introduced
polymers
eventually
make unite
better.
1990-
2000:More
than half of
biomaterial
applications
are made of
or contain
some
polymers
Beyond 2000:Drug
delivery, Bioimaging
& Biosensing,
Synthesis &
bioconjugation,
Implant coating ,
Tissue Engineering
etc.

6. Natural polymers
Naturally derived
polymers are suitable for
medical applications
because of
Biocompatibility,
Biodegradability,
Non-toxicity,
Ability to adsorb
bioactive molecules.
Natural polymers have been widely used in biomedical
applications such as pharmaceuticals, tissue
regeneration scaffolds, drug delivery agents, and
imaging agents.
Natural polymers, also called biopolymers, are naturally
occurring materials, formed during the life cycles of
green plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi.

7. Classification of Natural Polymers
Natural Polymers
Animals
Plants Microbes
Polysaccharides :
Cellulose, Starch
etc.
Polysaccharides:
Cellulose,
Starch etc.
Proteins:
Gelatine,
Albumin etc.
Polysaccharides:
Chitin, Chitosan
Etc.
Polyesters:Polyhydrox
yalkanoates (PHAs) etc.
Nucleic acids: DNA,
RNA etc.

8. Example of Natural Polymer Production/Extraction
Figure:A schematic representation of the chemical and biological (enzymatic) methods for
chitin extraction
P. Rameshthangam et al.,2018

9. Natural Polymeric Materials
CELLULOSE
Properties
• Major sources of cellulose are plant
fibers, bacteria.
• Linear chains of glucose units linked
by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
Advantages
Stable matrix, mechanical strength
for tissue engineering.
Hydrophilicity
Biocompatibility
Bioactivity
Disadvantages
Non-degradable or
Slowly degradable.
Application
Wound dressing
Drug delivery
Tissue Engineering
Blood purification
Bacterial Cellulose

10. Cellulose-based monomers
Figure: Schematic diagram of integrated routes to potential cellulose-based monomers for sustainable polymer
production
H.Shaghaleh et al.,2018

11. Natural Polymeric Materials
ALGINATE
Properties
• Made up of carboxylic groups
• Material properties varies from building block of
the alginate.
Advantages
Mimiking; gel forming material,
Bioabsorbable ;
Hydrophilicity;
Biocompatibility;
Bioactivity.
Disadvantages
Difficult to sterilize,
Low cell adhesion.
Application
Form of hydrogel for biomedicine
Drug release
Wound healing etc.
Alginate

12. Natural Polymeric Materials
COLLAGEN
Properties
• Made up of amino acids group: Glycine,
Proline, Hydroxyproline
Advantages
Favorable to Cell adhesion, proliferation,
differentiation.
Low immunogenicity
Bioabsorbable ;
Hydrophilicity;
Excellent Biocompatibility;
Bioactivity.
Disadvantages
Difficult to disinfection
Poor Stability
Application
Scaffold as tissue filler
Support matrix for matrix –rich tissues
Collagen

13. Natural Polymeric Materials
Hyaluronic Acid
Properties
β-D glucoronic acid and
β-1,3-N-acetyl-D-glucosamide.
Advantages
Encapsulation capability
Cell activity
Non-immunogenic
Nonantigenic
Biocompatibility;
Osteo-compatibility
Disadvantages
Mechanical properties need fine
tuning
Low biodegradability
Application
Lubricant in the joints and other
tissues
Skin treatment
Hydration, Hydrogel
Hyaluronic Acid

14. Advantages & Disadvantages Natural Polymers
Major advantages to natural polymers
• Lower/no toxicity,
• Better bioactivity,
• Enhanced cell response when associated with cells,
• Excellent biocompatibility,
• Extreme hydrophilicity and effective biological function.
Significant drawbacks of natural polymers
• Complicated isolation techniques from inconsistent sources.
• Poor processability and solubility blocking the utilization of industrial fabrication processes.
• Possibility of contamination by pyrogens and pathogens.
• Poor or limited material properties like elasticity, ductility, strength, and shelf life.
• Immunogenic & chance to allergic reaction.
• Low mechanical properties and easily degradable.
• High cost.

15. Synthetic Polymers
Synthetic polymers are man-made polymers produced
by chemical reactions. Synthetic polymers have been
used for numerous biomedical and pharmacologic
purposes.
These include prosthetic implants, suture material and
drug carriers etc.
Synthetic polymers :
 Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene
(PP),
 Polyethylene (PE),
 Polystyrene (PS), nylon,
 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
 Polyimide (PA),
 Polycarbonate (PC),
 Acrylonitrile butadiene (ABS),
polyetheretherketone (PEEK)
 Polyurethane (PU).

16. Classification of Synthetic Polymers
Synthetic Polymers
Poly-ethers Poly-amides
Poly-esters Poly-anhydried
• Polyethylene Glycol
• Polypropylene Glycol
• Polylactic acid
• Polyglycolic acid
• Polycaprolactone
• Poly-amino acid
• Poly amino
carbonate
• Poly adapic acid
• Poly sebacic acid

17. Synthetic Polymeric Materials
Poly-lactic acid(PLA)
Properties
Linear highly crystaline
polyester
Advantages
Hydrophilicity;
Biocompatibility;
High melting point
Disadvantages
Highly sensitive to hydrolysis
Application
Orthopedic fixation tools, ligament and
tendon repair, vascular stents
Poly Lactic Acid

18. Synthetic Polymeric Materials
Poly-glycolic acid(PGA)
Properties
Highly crystaline
A synthetic homopolymer of
glycolic (hydroacetic) acid
Advantages
Excellent Mechanical strength;
Biocompatibility;
Cytocompatibility;
Thermal stability
Disadvantages
Hydrophobicity
Brittleness
Application
Orthopedic fixation tools, ligament
and tendon repair, vascular stents
Poly-glycolic Acid

19. Synthetic Polymeric Materials
Poly-hydroxybutyrate acid(PHB)
Properties
Naturally occuring b-hydroxy
acid;
It is a homopolymer having a
stereoregular structure with
high crystalinity.
Advantages
Non-toxic
Biostable
Advantages over PLA and PGA
Biocompatibility;
Disadvantages
Thermal instability
Application
Biocontrol agents
Biodegradable implants
Memory enhancher
Anti-cancer agent
Poly Hydroxy-Butyrate

20. Synthetic Polymeric Materials
Polyvinyl alcohol
Properties
• Semicrystalline
polyhydroxypolymer
• Prepared via hydrolysis of poly
vinyl acetate
Advantages
Biocompatibility;
Non-Toxic
Good lubrication;
Tensile strength similar to
human articular cartilage;
Non-carcinogenic
Disadvantages
Lack of cell adhesive properties
Less ingrowth of bone cells
Application
Antifouling coating or for
hydrogel formation nucleus
pulposus or vitreous body
replacement.
Polyvinyl alcohol

21. Synthetic Polymers
Major advantages to synthetic polymers
• Good strength, Flexibility,
• Less immunogenic & less allergic reaction compared to natural polymer,
• Chemical inertness,
• Ability to be fabricated into a wide range of shapes and sizes.
• Customized design
Significant drawbacks of Synthetic polymers
• Poor biocompatibility
• Release of acidic degradation products,
• Poor processability and
• Loss of mechanical properties very early during degradation

22. Types of Polymers & Application
Figure: Natural and synthetic polymers are arranged based on bio vs non-bio and
biodegradable vs nonbiodegradable characteristics.
MSB Reddy et al., 2021 C. Kalirajan et al., 2021
Figure: Schematic illustrating the applications of polymeric
biomaterials in different biomedical field.

23. Polymeric Scaffold
The term “scaffold” refers to an artificial temporary platform applied to
support, repair, or to enhance the performance of a structure.
Biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical characteristics, pore
size, porosity, osteoinductivity, osteoconductivity, osteogenesis, and
osteointegration are the key design considerations for the scaffold.

24. Polymers for Scaffolding
Scaffolds can be used ranging from regenerative engineering to managed drug
delivery and immunomodulation. Consideration of selecting polymers:
• Support for new tissue growth.
• Prevention of cellular activity.
• Guided tissue response.
• Improvement of cell connection and consequent cellular activation.
• Inhibition of cellular attachment and/or activation.
• Prevention of a biological response.

25. Natural and Synthetic Polymer composites
Scaffold materials Fabrication method Scaffold application
Collagen Freeze-drying Vascular tissue engineering
Pectin Freeze drying Neo-cartilage tissue regeneration, surgical
manipulation
Chitosan Lyophilization Clinical purposes
Alginate-coated PLLA Lyophilization Designing engineered tissues
Methylcellulose Combination of film casting
and lyophilization methods
Drug delivery vehicles and skin tissue
engineering
Gelatin Electrospinning and 3D
printing
Nasal cartilages and subchondral bone
reconstruction
PVC Electro-spinning Bone tissue engineering

26. Bio-degradability of Polymer Scaffolds
MSB Reddy et al., 2021

27. Bio-compatibility of Polymer Scaffolds
The capacity of a biomaterial
to execute its intended
purpose concerning medical
therapy without affecting the
therapy from suffering any
adverse local or systemic
effects.
Figure: The essential variables that define the scaffold’s biocompatibility.
MSB Reddy et al., 2021

28. The essential variables involved in scaffold design for TE
Scaffolds used in Tissue Engineering follows some key factors.
After implemented in a body, the scaffold should aim to
(i) Be a liable structure for adhesion, proliferation, and cell
differentiation as a substratum,
(ii) Create the required biomechanical environment for
coordinated regeneration of tissues,
(iii) Permit the dissemination of nutrients and oxygen, and
(iv) Allow cells to be encapsulated and released with growth
factors MSB Reddy et al., 2021
Figure: The essential variables involved in scaffold design for TE

29. Degradation Mechanism of biodegradable polymer scaffolds
Polymers name Degradation method Application
Alginate Enzymatic Bone and cartilage tissue substitutes
Gelatin Hydrolysis, dissolving,
transformation, and enzyme-
catalyzed decomposition
Cartilage cells
Starch/PVA Hydrolytic Bone tissue engineering
Collagen/PLLA Enzymatic Tissue engineering
PCL Hydrolytic (surface erosion) Drug delivery and tissue engineering
PGA Hydrolytic Tissue-engineered vascular grafts
PLA/thermoplastic polyurethane Enzymatic Tissue engineering
MSB Reddy et al., 2021

30. Different types of polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering
A.3D Porous Matrix:
Thermodynamic demixing of a
homogeneous polymer/solvent
solution.
F.3D Bioprinting:
Computer-aided design model ;
Construct a 3D architecture with a
precise control of characteristics;
Highly reproducible scaffolds;
Customized shape and Size.
B. Nanofiber Mesh
C. Porous Microsphere: porosity, pore
morphology, mechanical properties,
bioactivity, and degradation rates of the
scaffolds are controlled by varying process
parameters.
D. Hydrogel E. Micelle

31. Different Forms of Natural and Synthetic Smart
Polymeric Biomaterials
Polymeric Films
• Easy to prepare & low cost.
• Studied for wound dressing materials
• Flim containing biomedicine have
antimicrobial properties.
Figure: The simple schematic shows the self-healing mechanism of cationic chitosan matrix assisted by anionic filler (Poly(acrylic acid) grafted
bacterial cellulose).
C. Kalirajan et al., 2021

32. Polymeric Sponges
Material Category Materials Properties Application
Polymeric Sponges
Agarose and chitosan 3D Scaffold Liver tissue model
Gelatin Scaffold
Cartilage extracellular
matrix
Fibroin/chitin/silver
nanoparticles
Scaffold Antibacterial activity
Collagen and ZnO
nanoparticles
Scaffold Wound dressing material
Gelatin and PVA Scaffold
Cytocompatible
biomaterial for skin
regeneration
Natural and synthetic polymers-based 3D scaffolds/sponges have wide applications in skin and bone tissue
engineering.
C. Kalirajan et al., 2021

33. Hydrogels
Figure : The schematic illustration showing the preparation of fiber reinforced GelMA(gelatin methacyrylate) hydrogel for of the regeneration
of the damaged corneal stroma.
Hydrogels have been prepared
from natural polymers known for
their application in corneal defects.
High aqueous environment,
biocompatibility, and high
transparent nature.
C. Kalirajan et al.,2021

34. Injectable Hydrogels
Figure: Schematic representation of the treatment of myocardial infarction using the coadministration of the adhesive conductive hydrogel
patch and injectable hydrogel.
In tissue engineering strategies,
injectable hydrogels and biomaterial
cardiac patches have been used to
treat myocardial infarctions.
Researchers prepared hydrogels from
the two natural polymers gelatin and
hyaluronic acid.
C. Kalirajan et al., 2021

35. 3D Printed Hydrogels
Figure: Schematic representation shows the 3D Printing of Water-Based Light-Cured Polyurethane with Hyaluronic Acid scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue
Engineering Applications.
Articular cartilage diseases affecting millions of people worldwide, one study probed 3D printed
cytocompatible hydrogel for tissue engineering applications.
C. Kalirajan et al., 2021

36. Bio-Inks
Bio-ink is used in 3D printing for the preparation of different shaped and
sized biomaterials or implants.
Figure: Schematic presentation of 3D bioprinting with composite bioink
Z.Maan et al.,2022

37. Cell sheet detachment from a thermo-responsive surface.
For this specific application, thermo-responsive polymers are
designed to be hydrophobic at 37°C the ideal condition for cell
seeding and adhesion, and hydrophilic at room temperature.
(a)Cells adhere to a hydrophobic surface through membrane
proteins and ECM(Extracellular Matrix), forming cell junctions.
(b)Both membrane and ECM proteins are disrupted through
enzymatic digestion, causing cellular detachment.
(c) Cells cultured on a thermo-responsive surface can be
harvested as a contiguous cell sheet, maintaining cell to-cell
junctions by lowering the temperature.
C Kalirajan et al., 2021
Figure: Cell sheet detachment from a thermo-responsive surface

38. Physical or chemical stimuli in biopolymers
Smart responses to:
• Shape recovery,
• Gelation,
• Macromolecule disruption,
• Swelling,
• Fluorescence.
C. Kalirajan et al., 2021

39. Some commercially available biopolymer systems for
various types of tissue repair
Source: Copyright 2014. Reproduced with permission from Biomedical Engineering Society
Product Application Product description
TachoSil* Cardiac Wound sealant Contains human fibrogen &
thrombin to form fibrin sealant
NeuroFlex* Nerve repair and regrowth Type 1 collagen mesh
NeuroMatrix* Nerve repair and regrowth Type 1 collagen mesh
NeuroMend* Nerve repair and regrowth Type 1 collagen mesh
Dynamatrix* Soft Tissur reconstraction Acellular graft containing
collagen- 1, 2,3
INFUSE* Bone Repair Absorbable collagen sponge in a
metal

40. Global market of Polymers
Source: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/medical-polymers-market

41. Global market of Polymers
Source: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/medical-polymers-market

42. Conclusions and Future Prospects
An ideal biomaterial for
regenerative medicine should be
nontoxic, biocompatible and
promoting cellular interactions to
tissue development, with
adequate mechanical and physical
properties
Implementing biopolymeric
systems in therapeutics
applications as capability to
scale up with controlled and
targeted properties, could be a
significant step for the future
The Polymeric material plays the
role as matrix or drug release
modifers, viscosity modifers,
binding agents, flm coating
substances, gelling agents, and
bioadhesives etc.
A scaffold made from a
composite containing both
natural and synthetic
biopolymers can permit tissue
substitutes to be produced that
satisfy all clinical requirements,
Medical polymers are extensively
used in the medical devices and
packaging, and in the
pharmaceutical sector increasing
demand for medical polymers,
which will boost the industry
The development of patient-
specific, smart polymeric
biomaterials represents the
future of polymer-based
biomaterials.

43. References
Altomare, L., Bonetti, L., Campiglio, C. E., De Nardo, L., Draghi, L., Tana, F., & Farè, S. (2018). Biopolymer-based strategies in the design of smart medical devices and
artificial organs. The International Journal of Artificial Organs, 41(6), 337-359.
Biswas, M. C., Jony, B., Nandy, P. K., Chowdhury, R. A., Halder, S., Kumar, D., ... & Imam, M. A. (2021). Recent Advancement of Biopolymers and Their Potential Biomedical
Applications. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 1-24.
Chen, S., Zhang, Q., Nakamoto, T., Kawazoe, N., & Chen, G. (2016). Gelatin scaffolds with controlled pore structure and mechanical property for cartilage tissue
engineering. Tissue Engineering Part C: Methods, 22(3), 189-198.
He, X.; Fan, X.; Feng, W.; Chen, Y.; Guo, T.; Wang, F.; Liu, J.; Tang, K. Incorporation of microfibrillated cellulose into collagenhydroxyapatite scaffold for bone tissue
engineering. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2018, 115, 385–392
Shaghaleh, H., Xu, X., & Wang, S. (2018). Current progress in production of biopolymeric materials based on cellulose, cellulose nanofibers, and cellulose derivatives. RSC
advances, 8(2), 825-842.
Kalirajan, C., Dukle, A., Nathanael, A. J., Oh, T. H., & Manivasagam, G. (2021). A Critical Review on Polymeric Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications. Polymers, 13(17),
3015.
Maan, Z., Masri, N. Z., & Willerth, S. M. (2022). Smart Bioinks for the Printing of Human Tissue Models. Biomolecules, 12(1), 141.
Nyambat, B.; Chen, C.-H.; Wong, P.-C.; Chiang, C.-W.; Satapathy, M.K.; Chuang, E.-Y. Genipin-crosslinked adipose stem cell derived extracellular matrix-nano graphene oxide
composite sponge for skin tissue engineering. J. Mater. Chem. B 2018, 6, 979–990.
Rameshthangam, P., Solairaj, D., Arunachalam, G., & Ramasamy, P. (2018). Chitin and Chitinases: biomedical and environmental applications of chitin and its
derivatives. Journal of Enzymes, 1(1), 20-43.
Reddy, M. S. B., Ponnamma, D., Choudhary, R., & Sadasivuni, K. K. (2021). A comparative review of natural and synthetic biopolymer composite scaffolds. Polymers, 13(7),
1105.
Shie, M. Y., Chang, W. C., Wei, L. J., Huang, Y. H., Chen, C. H., Shih, C. T., ... & Shen, Y. F. (2017). 3D printing of cytocompatible water-based light-cured polyurethane with
hyaluronic acid for cartilage tissue engineering applications. Materials, 10(2), 136.
Tripathi, A., & Melo, J. S. (2015). Preparation of a sponge-like biocomposite agarose–chitosan scaffold with primary hepatocytes for establishing an in vitro 3D liver tissue
model. RSC Advances, 5(39), 30701-30710.

45. Questions
1. What is polymer?
2. Mention some merits and demerits of the Natural and Synthetic
Polymer in Medical Science.
3. What is Polymeric Scaffold?
4. Describe some natural polymers with application.
5. Mention 3 smart polymeric biomaterials with specificity.