Bioresorbable polymer implants are made from essentially the same lactic acid molecular building blocks that occur naturally in the human body. (Lactic acid is produced in the muscle during strenuous activity.) Long molecular polymer chains are created by combining lactic acid derivatives known as lactides. The resulting polymers are generally referred to as polylactides or PLA. MAST Biosurgery implants, used for soft tissue applications, are made from Polylactide: a copolymer of 70:30 Poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide).

Bioresorbable implants are used for applications in treating diseases, deformities, trauma, and a variety of soft and hard tissue procedures.

 

The copolymer maintains its strength during the healing process, and through hydrolysis slowly breaks down into lactic acid molecules. The resorption process occurs in two phases: (1) water penetrates the implant, reacts with the polymer and breaks the polymer chains (hydrolysis); (2) hydrolysis converts the long chains into shorter chains until the polymer fragments into single lactic acid molecules. Lactic acid molecules are then metabolized by the liver into carbon dioxide and water which are released through the lungs.

Bioresorbable implants, made from molecules similar to those in the human body, resorb after the tissue is healed. Permanent metal or nonresorbable implants remain in the body after healing takes place, unless they are surgically removed.

Bioresorbable polymer materials offer application versatility. Additionally, bioresorbable implants do not obscure radiographs or MRI/CT scans, which allows for more accurate evaluation during the healing process. Patients benefit from these contributing factors.

Bioresorbable polymer sutures have been used in patients for more than 40 years. Technological advancements have facilitated the production of the wide variety of bioresorbable polymer implants we have today.

Although resorbable polymers have been used as suture material in patients for more than 40 years, bioresorbable surgical mesh has been around since the 1980s.

Polylactides or PLA are the polymers that result from long molecular polymer chains created by combining lactic acid derivatives, known as lactides.

The most important factor is that bioresorbable sheet materials degrade in the body safely and are naturally metabolized. Material scientists examine mechanical, physical, and biological attributes of the material. In general, scientists look at the molecular structures to determine which are similar to those in the human body and can be safely resorbed and metabolized. MAST Biosurgery implants, exclusively made from the polymer material category, fit these criteria.

MAST Biosurgery designs, develops, and manufactures its implants through proprietary technology. All bioresorbable polymers and implants are validated through extensive safety and efficacy testing. Industry-wide testing standards include protocols for tension, compression, bending, aging, and resorption characteristics. Sterilization methods commonly used in the medical device industry are electron beam (E-beam), gamma irradiation, or ethylene oxide (ETO).