Table 2.

Common synthetic biodegradable polymers and representative applications [78].

Degradable polymers	Current major bioapplications
Synthetic degradable polyesters
Polylactic acid (PLA), poly glycolic (PGA) and copolymers	Barrier membrances, drug delivery, guided tissue regeneration (in dental applicaitons), orthopedic applications, stents, staples, sutures, tissue engineering
Polyhydroxbutyrate (PHB), polygydroxyvalerate (PHV), and copolymers	Long-term drug delivery, orthopedic applications, stapes stents
Polycaprolactone	Long-term drug delivery, orthopedic applications, staples, stents
Polydioxanone	Fracture fixation in non-load-bearing bones, sutures, wound clip
Other synthetic degradable polymers
Polyanhydrides	Drug delivery
Polycyanoacrylates	Adhesives, drug delivery
Poly(amino acids) and “pseudo”-poly(amino acids)	Drug delivery, tissue engineering, orthopedic applicaitons
Poly(ortho ester)	Drug delivery,stents
Polyphosphazenes	Blood contacting devices, drug delivery, skeletal reconstruction
Poly(propylene fumarate)	Orthopedic applications