The Application of Degradable Materials in the Medical Field

College of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

^* Corresponding author: a88014@correo.umm.edu.mx

Abstract

With the continuous advancement of medical technology, people’s requirements for health are becoming increasingly stringent. Traditional medical materials not only cause biological rejection responses, but also in many cases require a second operation to remove the implants, which significantly increases medical costs and patients’ suffering. However, degradable materials exhibit self-decomposition properties through microbial, chemical, and physical mechanisms to mitigate potential risks. At present, most of the biodegradable materials on the market are applied in tissue engineering, targeted drug delivery and medical textiles. This article uses a literature analysis approach to examine the representative substances of three major categories of degradable materials. Such as chitosan, polylactic acid, metallic magnesium, and zinc together with their alloys. Furthermore, this paper elaborates on preparation, performance, practical application, which compares with existing devices to highlight the advantages of degradable materials. The concluding section outlines future prospects for degradable materials, proposes strategies such as modifying material composition and optimizing structures to tackle these challenges and broaden application areas.