Advanced Technologies and Polymer Materials for Surgical Sutures

Book excerpt: Polymeric materials offer a high level of versatility due to the range of applications possible within the biomedical and clinical fields – including wound closure - particularly in comparison to metals or ceramics. These specialised materials also allow for a diverse array of therapeutic effects. Although there have been advances in improving polymeric materials for surgical sutures, there is little information available regarding improving the therapeutic value of sutures, and advanced technologies used to implement this improvement. Advanced Technologies and Polymer Materials for Surgical Sutures provides thorough coverage on suture materials with improved mechanical and therapeutic properties that can improve quality of life; chapter topics include drug-releasing kinetics of sutures, shape memory polymer sutures and future trends.This book is a useful resource for academics and researchers in the materials science and biomedical engineering fields, as well as professionals in biomaterials and biotextiles development and clinicians looking to learn more about suture material properties and suture/body interactions. - Depicts recent advances in both the therapeutic effects of polymer-based sutures, as well as the various manufacturing techniques employed in the production of sutures - Offers an interdisciplinary approach, covering material properties and engineering technologies, as well as an understanding of the biological properties of sutures, such as suture/body interactions - Comprehensive coverage allows both experienced researchers in the area and new entrants (such as clinicians) to learn more about this important topic