Artificial organs are the main development direction of medical polymer materials. At present, artificial organs made of polymer materials that have been implanted in the human body include artificial kidneys, artificial blood vessels, artificial heart valves, artificial joints, artificial bones, orthopedic materials, etc. The polymer materials used mainly include PVC, ABS, PP, silicone rubber, fluoropolymers, etc. Currently under research are artificial hearts, artificial lungs, artificial pancreas, artificial blood, artificial eyeballs, etc. Polymers are also the most commonly used prosthetic eye material in the world.
The research on medical polymers has a history of more than 40 years. In 1949, the United States first published a prospective paper on medical polymers. In the article, the clinical application of polymethyl methacrylate as human skull and joints and polyamide fiber as surgical sutures was introduced for the first time. According to incomplete statistics, as of 1990, the United States, Japan, and Western Europe had published more than 30,000 academic papers and patents on medical polymers. Some people predict that in the 21st century, medical polymers will enter a new era. Except for the brain, all parts and organs of the human body can be replaced with polymer materials.
In the 21st century, when people are more concerned about their own health, medical polymer materials will play an increasingly important role. The research and development of biomedical materials has also received great attention from relevant national departments. Both the “10th Five-Year Plan” and the “11th Five-Year Plan” National Key Basic Research Development Plan (“973”) have established research projects on biomedical materials. The future development of biomedical materials will surely move from simple use to purposeful design and synthesis to obtain materials with good biocompatibility and biofunctionality that are needed by living organisms. Compulsory and elective courses on biomedical polymer materials are also offered in majors such as biomedical engineering and polymer materials and engineering in colleges and universities.
Medical polymer materials can be roughly divided into two categories: those used outside the body and those used inside the body. Materials used outside the body are mainly used to prepare medical supplies, such as infusion bags, infusion tubes, syringes, etc. Due to their low cost and ease of use, these polymer materials are now widely used. Materials used within the body can be divided into two categories: surgical and internal medicine. In surgery, there are artificial organs, medical adhesives, plastic materials, etc. Internal medicine mainly uses polymer drugs. The so-called polymer drugs are drugs that combine low molecules with medicinal effects and polymer carriers. They have the characteristics of long-lasting effect and stability.