Table 4.
Polymers used in approved implantable medical devices.
| Polymers | Application examples | Preferred properties |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone | Catheters, lead insulations, tissue filling, adhesives, intraocular lens | Stable |
| Polyurethanes (ether, ester, carbonate, hydrocarbon) | Catheters, lead insulations, structural components (e.g., artificial heart), pacemaker connectors, cervical (spinal) disc replacement, sensors | Stable |
| Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) | Orthopedic parts, | Stable |
| Polysulfone | Structural components | Stable |
| Epoxy | Structural components | Stable |
| Polyethylene | Joint replacement | Stable |
| Poly(methyl methacrylate) | Bone cement, intraocular lens, | Stable |
| Fluoropolymer | Vascular grafts, drug delivery coating | Stable |
| Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) | Drug delivery | Stable |
| Poly(ethylene terephthalate) | Vascular grafts, artificial heart valve suture | Stable |
| Poly(lactide) and its copolymers | Orthopedic products, drug delivery, suture | Degradable |
| Polyanhydride | Drug delivery | Degradable |
| Collagen | Tissue filling, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery | Degradable |