Although unknown to the vast majority, polymers are a fundamental part of nature.Its basic principle, the multiple union of smaller molecules called monomers, gives rise to dimensional structures that are present in practically all biological systems.Natural polymers are essential for life as we understand it;from protein macromolecules or our own DNA, through keratin or cartilage structures, to the silk made by some animals and the cellulose present in plants.They have also been used by humans since primitive civilizations, with a basic role in the first traces of medicine, used, to cite an example, as suture materials [1].Synthetic polymers, for their part, present a variety that is quantitatively comparable to that of their natural counterparts.After their first medical application during the Second World War, they have been of great interest due to their versatility.Synthetic polymers can be custom designed, allowing their physical-chemical properties to be adapted to specific needs, by combining different monomers and macromolecular structures [2].The functionalities obtained offer complex solutions such as shape memory [3] or the controlled release of compounds in response to a wide variety of stimuli: pH [4], mechanical stress [5], electricity [6] or temperature [7].An advantage associated with polymeric systems in medicine is their organic structure, based on carbon, which is more similar to biological systems than inorganic compounds [8].This particularity is of great interest when looking for a specific interaction of the polymer with the body.However, it can also lead to a series of problems associated with the presence of monomer residues [9], unwanted degradation processes or additives with a biochemical response [10].On the other hand, the possibility of introducing reactive groups in the polymeric structures allows their anchorage to other surfaces [11], offering the possibility of superficially modifying other materials with interesting intrinsic properties for a given application.Thus, properties such as biocompatibility [12] or favoring the proliferation of certain types of cells [13] can be regulated.The different synthetic polymers used are varied, being the families of polyolefins [14], polyesters [15], polyethers [16], fluorinated polymers [17], vinyl [18], acrylics [19], polyamides [20], polyurethanes [21] and silicones [22] the most used.The available portfolio increases day by day and the emergence of new technologies such as 3D printing, together with digitalization that encompasses all sectors, promises a hopeful horizon for the already powerful associated industry.Not in vain, according to the Grand View Research consultancy, in 2016 the global market associated with polymers for the medical sector was estimated at more than 12,000 million dollars, with a year-on-year growth of more than 8% and is expected to exceed the barrier of 17,000 million dollars for the year 2020.The main application focuses on packaging, containers and medical devices.With much less restrictive requirements than in the later cases, however, parameters related to the contact between the polymer and the active compounds that they carry, supply or dose must be taken into account [23], as well as their possible interaction.The goal is to ensure that the functionality of neither is compromised.In this way, the migrations of the active compound to the polymeric matrix, changes in pH, gas permeation, optical properties or migration of additives [24], among others, should be considered.Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has been one of the most used materials for these uses, however, the addition of plasticizers to adapt its mechanical properties [25], generally phthalates with high lipophilicity, known for their carcinogenic effect and endocrine activity, poses a migration risk.For this reason, polyolefins, inert and easily formulated, are currently the most widely used material for this type of application [26].Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are used as the only material or in a multilayer format, together with materials that improve barrier properties and protect the active ingredient from light radiation.Other common extracorporeal applications are hemodialysis membranes [27], made from a combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers, such as polyaryl sulfones, polysulfones, polyethersulfones, or polyvinyl pyrrolidone.Applications dedicated to the transport of different fluids are also common, where polyurethane elastomers (TPU) and silicones are the materials with the greatest presence.As stated above, the versatility of polymers makes it possible to cover a series of very specific and concrete needs.This is the case of catheters, which require flexibility and critical mechanical properties for their correct performance.Vascular catheters, initially made of PVC, have now been replaced by TPU and silicones [21],21 due to the aforementioned migration problems [25]25.These, in turn, include antimicrobial additives or are surface functionalized with highly hydrophilic polymeric chains, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), to prevent the adsorption of proteins on the surface.Other materials used in catheters are high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), due to their low coefficient of friction, which facilitates their insertion as guide catheters, as well as polyesters or polyamides (PA) commonly used in balloons for dosing. .As far as urinary catheters are concerned, silicones are the prevalent material [28].These are added with different antimicrobial compounds in order to ensure prolonged use of catheters free of infections, although it is an unsolved problem, with signs of infection being observed in almost 100% of patients after more than 30 days of continuous use. [29].Dressings are also a wide field of application.Compared with the traditional ones, those with a polymer base allow optimal mechanical protection and good barrier properties, with minimal adherence to the wound, improving the healing and removal process for the patient [30].Hybrid dressings that combine synthetic and natural polymers have recently aroused special interest [31];for example, semi-impervious nylon (PA) and polyurethane films with acrylic or chitosan coatings, with excellent properties against wounds that require proper wetting [32].Similarly, active gauzes capable of absorbing large quantities of liquid are of great interest for treating burns and other suppurating wounds [30].30 Polymeric hydrocolloids and cellulosic derivatives, for their part, prevent the proliferation of microorganisms and accelerate the process. of healing, thanks to the controlled release of healing or antiseptic drugs [33].In another order, and intermittently in contact with the skin, we would find orthoses and external prostheses for, for example, amputated limbs.The irruption of polymeric materials in the sector represented a revolution in terms of benefits for the patient.The use of polyurethane or silicone liners [34] and resin reinforced withCarbon fiber for energy-storing sockets or feet has made it possible to reduce the weight of prostheses and has increased the general comfort of patients, sweeping away most of their limitations.Additionally, the incursion of 3D printing has made it possible to personalize prostheses, turning them into yet another fashion item, largely eliminating the stigma of the amputee [35].Since polymethyl methacrylate was used to repair corneal damage to German soldiers during World War II, the potential of polymers for use in implants and all kinds of invasive surgeries was proven.Of all of them, however, the preferred field has been that of sutures.Today, in addition to synthetic polymeric fibers of polyester, polyamide or polyethylene and non-resorbable natural ones such as cotton or silk [36], bioabsorbable sutures based on biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polycaprolactone are common. (PCL) and copolymers thereof with different natural acids [37].In this sense, the emergence of polymers has made it possible to find adhesive solutions [38] capable of satisfactorily replacing sutures in many cases.The most classic adhesives are based on an evolution of the conventional ones composed of polyurethanes, derivatives of isocyanates and biodegradable and resorbable polyesters such as PCL [39].Among the most widely used currently are polymers based on fibrin and thrombin, although the incipient alternatives based on heparin, gelatin, collagen or various polysaccharides of natural or synthetic origin [40] are increasing.On the other hand, surgical meshes are also commonly used [41], based on highly inert and low-friction polymers such as PP, PTFE, which are gradually being replaced by polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) meshes due to a inferior rejection response [42].Finally, it is worth mentioning a whole series of surgical applications implanted for years, although not less important for that.These medical applications are none other than the use of ultra-high-density polyethylene (UHMWDPE) in hip prostheses [43], or bone cements based on acrylic polymers [44] used in their implantation, as well as stents made with polyesters biodegradable [45] or TPU-based heart valves [46].Nor can the contributions to the ophthalmic [47] and dental [48] sector be overlooked, where acrylic polymers have revolutionized the way of understanding both industries.In short, we could argue that the emergence of polymers in medicine is still in its infancy, although promising.The intrinsic versatility of these materials makes them the perfect candidates to address the large number of challenges present in a sector as demanding as the medical sector.The digital revolution and new production technologies such as 3D printing, in which polymeric materials are one of the central axes, will serve as a key lever.All this allows us to state that the penetration of polymers in the medical sector will take place in various ways and attacking different fronts, in which the material may be a drug carrier, a structural material or the active ingredient itself.However, its implementation still presents certain doubts from the point of view of regulation and toxicity, due to the fact that the limited background does not allow having a database comparable to other materials.It is, therefore, the job of the scientific and industrial community to lay the foundations and tools necessary to exploit, safely and efficiently, all the possibilities that these chameleon-like materials can offer.[1] TM Muffly, AP Tizzano, MD Walters, The history and evolution of sutures in pelvic surgery, JR Soc. Med. 104 (2011) 107-112.[2] A. Lendlein, Polymers in biomedicine, Macromol.Biosci.10 (2010) 993-997.[3] A. Lendlein, M. Behl, B. Hiebl, C. Wischke, Shape-memory polymers as a technology platform for biomedical applications, Expert Rev. Med. Devices 7 (2010) 357-379.[4] S. Dai, P. Ravi, KC Tam, pH-Responsive polymers: synthesis, properties and applications, Soft Matter 4 (2008) 435-449.[5] C. Weder, Mechanochemistry: Polymers react to stress, Nature 459 (2009) 45-46.[6] Q. Yan, J. Yuan, Z. Cai, Y. Xin, Y. Kang, Y. Yin, Voltage-responsive vesicles based on orthogonal assembly of two homopolymers, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132 (2010 ) 9268-9270.[7] DF Stamatialis, BJ Papenburg, M. Giron.s, S. Saiful, SNM Bettahalli, S. Schmitmeier, M. Wessling, Medical applications of membranes: Drug delivery, artificial organs and tissue engineering, J. Memb.Sci. 308 (2008) 1-34.[8] Catauro, M., et al.“Influence of the polymer amount on bioactivity and biocompatibility of SiO2/PEG hybrid materials synthesized by sol–gel technique.”Materials Science and Engineering: C 48 (2015): 548-555.[9] Langer, Robert, and David A. Tirrell.“Designing materials for biology and medicine.”Nature 428.6982 (2004): 487.[10] Smith MD, Grant MH, Blass CR, Courtney JM, Barbenel JC, Poly(vinyl chloride) formulations: acute toxicity to cultured human cell lines, J. Biomater.Sci. Polym.Ed. 7 (1995) 453-459.[11] Kulkarni, Mukta, et al.“Biomaterial surface modification of titanium and titanium alloys for medical applications.”Nanomedicine 111 (2014): 111.[12] LaPorte, R. (1997).Hydrophilic Polymer Coatings for Medical Devices.New York: Routledge.[13] Shi, Changcan, et al.“Hydrophilic PCU scaffolds prepared by grafting PEGMA and immobilizing gelatin to enhance cell adhesion and proliferation.”Materials Science and Engineering: C50 (2015): 201-209.[14] Kim, Yong K. “The use of polyolefins in industrial and medical applications.”Polyolefin Fibers (Second Edition).2017. 135-155.[15] S. Kehoe, XF Zhang, D. Boyd, FDA approved guidance conduits and wraps for peripheral nerve injury: a review of materials and efficacy, Injury 43 (2012) 553-572.[16] SM Kurtz, JN Devine, PEEK biomaterials in trauma, orthopedic, and spinal implants, Biomaterials 28 (2007) 4845-4869.[17] AS Breitbart, VJ Ablaza, Implant materials, in: CH Thorne (Ed.) Grabb and Smith's Plastic Surgery, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, Pa., 2007, pp.58-65.[18] J. Sampson, D. de Korte, DEHP-plasticised PVC: relevance to blood services, Transfus.Med. 21 (2011) 73-83.[19] M. Tanaka, A. Mochizuki, Clarification of the blood compatibility mechanism by controlling the water structure at the blood-poly(meth)acrylate interface, J. Biomater.Sci. Polym.Ed. 21 (2010) 1849-1863.[20] L. Pruitt, J. Furmanski, Polymeric biomaterials for load-bearing medical devices, JOM 61 (2009) 14-20.[21] C. O'Neil, So many polymers, so little time, MD+DI 32 No. 9 (2010) http://www.mddionline.com/article/so-many-polymers-so-little-time .[22] PJ Mackenzie, RM Schertzer, CM Isbister, Comparison of silicone and polypropylene Ahmed glaucoma valves: two-year follow-up, Can.J. Ophthalmol.42 (2007) 227-232.[23] DR Jenke, Extractables and leachables considerations for prefilled syringes, Expert Opin.Drug Deliver.11 (2014) 1591-1600.[24] D. Jenke, Evaluation of the chemical compatibility of plastic contact materials and pharmaceutical products;safety considerations related to extractables and leachables, J. Pharm.Sci. 96 (2007) 2566-2581.[25] J. Sampson, D. de Korte, DEHP-plasticised PVC: relevance to blood services, Transfus.Med. 21 (2011) 73-83.[26] S. Makwana, B. Basu, Y. Makasana, A. Dharamsi, Prefilled syringes: An innovation in parenteral packaging, Int. J. Pharm.Research1 (2011) 200-206.[27] NA Hoenich, Membranes for dialysis: can we do without them?, Int. J. Artif.Organs 30 (2007) 964-970.[28] EL Lawrence, IG Turner, Materials for urinary catheters: a review of their history and development in the UK, Med. Eng. Phys. 27 (2005) 443-453.[29] KH Dellimore, AR Helyer, SE Franklin, A scoping review of important urinary catheter induced complications, J. Mater.Sci. Mater.Med. 24 (2013) 1825-1835.[30] GD Mogosanu, AM Grumezescu, Natural and synthetic polymers for wounds and burns dressing, Int. J. Pharm.463 (2014) 127-136.[31] KC Broussard, JG Powers, Wound dressings: selecting the most appropriate type, Am. J. Clin.dermatol.14 (2013) 449-459.[32] N. Mayet, YE Choonara, P. Kumar, LK Tomar, C. Tyagi, LC Du Toit, V. Pillay, A comprehensive review of advanced biopolymeric wound healing systems, J. Pharm.Sci. 103 (2014) 2211-2230.[33] JS Boateng, KH Matthews, HNE Stevens, GM Eccleston, Wound healing dressings and drug delivery systems: A review, J. Pharm.Sci. 97 (2008) 2892-2923.[34] Baars, ECT, and JHB Geertzen.“Literature review of the possible advantages of silicon liner socket use in trans-tibial prostheses.”Prosthetics and orthotics international 29.1 (2005): 27-37.[36] F. Javed, M. Al-Askar, K. Almas, GE Romanos, K. Al-Hezaimi, Tissue reactions to various suture materials used in oral surgical interventions, ISRN Dent.2012 (2012) 762095.[37] I. Capperauld, Suture materials: A review, Clin.Mother.4 (1989) 3-12.[38] L. Sanders, J. Nagatomi, Clinical applications of surgical adhesives and sealants, Crit.Rev.[39] P. Ferreira, AFM Silva, MI Pinto, MH Gil, Development of a biodegradable bioadhesive containing urethane groups, J. Mater.Sci. Mater.Med. 19 (2008) 111-120.[40] LP Bre, Y. Zheng, AP Pego, WX Wang, Taking tissue adhesives to the future: from traditional synthetic to new biomimetic approaches, Biomater.Sci. 1 (2013) 239-253.[41] U. Klinge, JK Park, B. Klosterhalfen, 'The ideal mesh?', Pathobiology 80 (2013) 169-175.[42] K. Junge, M. Binnebosel, KT von Trotha, R. Rosch, U. Klinge, UP Neumann, PL Jansen, Mesh biocompatibility: effects of cellular inflammation and tissue remodelling, Langenbecks Arch. Surg.397 (2012) 255-270.[43] MJ Kasser, Regulation of UHMWPE biomaterials in total hip arthroplasty, J. Biomed.Mother.Res. B Appl.Biomater.101B (2013) 400-406.[44] J. Wang, C. Zhu, T. Cheng, X. Peng, W. Zhang, H. Qin, X. Zhang, A systematic review and metaanalysis of antibiotic-impregnated bone cement use in primary total hip or knee arthroplasty , PLoS One 8 (2013) e82745.[45] T. Palmerini, G. Biondi-Zoccai, D. Della Riva, A. Mariani, M. Sabate, PC Smits, C. Kaiser, F. D'Ascenzo, G. Frati, M. Mancone, P. Genereux , GW Stone, Clinical outcomes with bioabsorbable polymer-versus durable polymer-based drug-eluting and bare-metal stents evidence from a comprehensive network meta-analysis, J. Am. Coll.Cardiol.63 (2014) 299-307.[46] A. Abruzzo, C. Fiorica, VD Palumbo, R. Altomare, G. Damiano, MC Gioviale, G. Tomasello, M. Licciardi, FS Palumbo, G. Giammona, AI Lo Monte, Using polymeric scaffolds for vascular tissue engineering, Int. J. Polym.Sci. (2014).[47] S. Kirchhof, AM Goepferich, FP Brandl, Hydrogels in ophthalmic applications, Eur. J. Pharm.Biopharm.(2015) doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2015.05.016[48] ​​JG Leprince, WM Palin, MA Hadis, J. Devaux, G. Leloup, Progress in dimethacrylate-based dental composite technology and curing efficiency, Dent.Mother.29 (2013) 139-156.The comments are the opinion of the users and not that of the portal.Insulting, racist or contrary to current laws are not allowed.No comments will be published that are not related to the news/article, or that do not comply with the Legal Notice and the Data Protection Policy.Legal Warnings and Basic Information on Personal Data Protection: Responsible for the Processing of your Personal Data: Interempresas Media, SLU Purposes: Manage contact with you. Conservation: We will keep your data for the duration of the relationship with you, then they will be saved, duly blocked .Rights: You can exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion and portability and those of limitation or opposition to treatment, and contact the DPD through lopd@interempresas.net.If you consider that the treatment does not comply with current regulations, you can file a claim with the AEPD.Subscribe to our Newsletter - See exampleI authorize the sending of newsletters and personalized informative notices from interempresas.netI authorize the sending of communications from third parties via interempresas.netI have read and accept the Legal Notice and the Data Protection PolicyGeesinknorba Spain, SLURinco Ultrasonics, SLUBusch Iberian, S.A.Ultrasound J. Tironi, SL"Recycled content in plastic packaging could double""Digitalization and automation, sustainability, health and generation of new ingredients are the main pillars of Food 4 Future""The SIR Awards highlight innovative initiatives that help achieve an industry of smart, innovative and sustainable plastic materials"© 2019 - Interempresas Media, SLU - Nova Àgora Group