Langer R, Cima L G, Tamada J A, Wintermantel E
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Cambridge 02139.
Biomaterials. 1990 Nov;11(9):738-45. doi: 10.1016/0142-9612(90)90038-r.
Biomaterials have made a great impact on medicine. However, numerous challenges remain. This paper discusses three representative areas involving important medical problems. First, drug delivery systems; major considerations include drug-polymer interactions, drug transformation, diffusion properties of drugs and, if degradation occurs, of polymer degradation products through polymer matrices developing a more complete understanding of matrix degradation in the case of erodible polymers and developing new engineered polymers designed for specific purposes such as vaccination or pulsatile release. Second, cell-polymer interactions, including the fate of inert polymers, the use of polymers as templates for tissue regeneration and the study of polymers which aid cell transplantation. Third, orthopaedic biomaterials, including basic research in the behaviour of chondrocytes, osteocytes and connective tissue-free interfaces and applied research involving computer-aided design of biomaterials and the creation of orthopaedic biomaterials.
生物材料对医学产生了重大影响。然而，众多挑战依然存在。本文讨论了涉及重要医学问题的三个代表性领域。第一，药物递送系统；主要考虑因素包括药物与聚合物的相互作用、药物转化、药物的扩散特性，以及如果发生降解，聚合物降解产物通过聚合物基质的扩散特性，更全面地了解可蚀性聚合物情况下的基质降解，并开发用于特定目的（如疫苗接种或脉冲释放）的新型工程聚合物。第二，细胞与聚合物的相互作用，包括惰性聚合物的归宿、将聚合物用作组织再生模板以及对辅助细胞移植的聚合物的研究。第三，骨科生物材料，包括软骨细胞、骨细胞和无结缔组织界面行为的基础研究，以及涉及生物材料计算机辅助设计和骨科生物材料创建的应用研究。
