bioresorption

Bioresorption is a process by which a material is broken down into smaller components within a living organism and is then metabolized or excreted. This process is crucial in many biological and medical applications. For example, in the human body, many natural tissues are bioresorbable; bone, cartilage, and sutures made from materials like polyglycolic acid are designed to degrade over time. The rate of bioresorption can be controlled by the material's chemical composition and physical structure.

In medicine, bioresorbable materials are used in implants, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering scaffolds. For instance, bioresorbable screws and plates are used in bone surgery, eliminating the need for a second surgery to remove them. Drug delivery devices can be designed to release medication as they gradually break down. Tissue engineering scaffolds provide a temporary structure for cell growth and tissue regeneration, eventually disappearing as new tissue forms.

The breakdown products of bioresorption must be non-toxic and easily handled by the body's natural waste removal systems. This ensures that the process is safe and does not cause adverse reactions. Factors influencing bioresorption include the material itself, the physiological environment (such as pH, enzymes, and temperature), and the location of the material within the body. Understanding and controlling bioresorption is essential for developing effective and safe medical devices and therapies.