Biodegradable elastomers in drug delivery.

BACKGROUND

Biodegradable elastomers have been used in many different manners for controlled drug delivery. The development of new biodegradable elastomers has recently increased, driven mainly by tissue engineering research.

OBJECTIVE

This review outlines the different uses of biodegradable elastomers in controlled release.

METHODS

This review was limited to those papers wherein the polymer chosen as the delivery vehicle was demonstrably elastomeric.

CONCLUSION

Biodegradable elastomers have an established role in controlled release and an expanding role in combination scaffolds providing controlled release and mechanical stimulation capability for tissue regeneration/engineering.