In virtually all areas of medicine, increasingly
sophisticated devices are turning to increasingly sophisticated materials
science to solve their most nagging technical problems. From passive functions
like sterility and biocompatibility to active drug delivery and even
conductivity, polymers are proving to be more versatile and complex than ever
before. Kalorama's Advanced Polymers for Medical Applications examines the
latest technological and market developments in advanced plastics for:
- Diagnostic and laboratory devices
- Blood-handling devices
- Implants and prosthetic devices
- Drug delivery systems
- Organ and tissue replacements
- Cardiopulmonary systems
Patent applications and clinical trial information combined with commercial,
regulatory, and manufacturing issues will present a comprehensive picture of
these quickly evolving technologies and their promising and dynamic marketplace.
Innovation in Cell Hosting, Drug Delivery, and Biocoatings Drive Advanced
Medical Polymers into New Era
New York, February 5, 2002 /PR Newswire — Advanced polymer research
is leading to thousands of new and innovative medical devices, many of which
were not possible only a few years ago, according to a new study released today
by Kalorama Information and available at MarketResearch.com. Those areas with
the most potential appear to be applications in tissue engineering and
transplant medicine, devices that deliver pharmaceuticals, and specialized
polymer coatings that allow for more complex device design, according to the
study.
The study, Advanced Polymers for Medical Applications, found a plethora of
opportunity in new polymer research, noting that the markets for some
applications such as cell hosting in which a polymer scaffold makes tissue
growth possible, have nearly unlimited growth potential. The market potential
for tissue-engineered healthcare solutions has been estimated at over $80
billion, according to the study. Some other areas of promising research
identified by the study include biodegradable polymers and hydrogels, molecular
imprinted polymers, conductive polymers, and biopolymers.
"A few years ago medical device designers were forced to work with a
small handful of classic biomaterials, and polymers were used in medical
implants only as inert structural materials," notes James P. Smith, PhD,
the author of the report. "However, the standard concept of a medical
implant as an inanimate, mechanical product seldom applies today. Advanced
medical polymers are now capable of biological processes, and can become a
functional part of living organisms."
The study also found, though, that there are significant obstacles to
progress in the sector. Nuances of medical device regulation and the unique
structure of the healthcare markets have created barriers to product
development, especially for companies that are entering the medical arena for
the first time. The report contains an extensive step-by-step review of the
approval process and the industryfs standards.
View Cart
