Novel elastomers for biomedical applications

As many tissues in the body have elastomeric properties, successful replacement or tissue engineering of these tissues will require the development of compliant biodegradable elastomeric scaffolds that can sustain and recover from multiple deformations without irritation to the surrounding tissue. The development of elastomeric scaffolds is desirable because mechanical conditioning regimens have been shown to promote improved tissue formation and would allow gradual stress transfer from the degrading synthetic matrix to the newly formed tissue.1,2 Within the last five years, investigators have recognized the need for elastomeric biodegradable scaffolds, particularly in the area of soft tissue (such as cardiovascular) engineering. This review will focus on some novel biodegradable polyester elastomers, biodegradable polyurethanes (PUs), silicone rubbers with some surface and bulk modification, and polyphosphazenes (PNs), which are promising in tissue engineering and other biomedical applications. The designation, synthesis and preparation, structure and properties, characterization, and present or potential applications of bioelastomers are involved.