Polymers for tissue engineering, medical devices, and regenerative medicine. Concise general review of recent studies

Recently investigated applications of polymeric materials for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, implants, stents, and medical devices are described in the present review. Papers published during the last 2 years about polymeric materials used for preparation of various polymeric scaffolds, methods of fabrication of such scaffolds and their effectiveness in providing support for cell growth and development into various tissues and enhancing or mimicking an extracellular network (ECM's) have been cited. Papers describing the use of such polymeric materials for tissue engineering of cartilage and bones were cited. The exciting developments in the field of regenerative medicine, based on application of the self-assembled biocompatible polymeric scaffolds for regeneration of tissues and organs are described in some detail. The use of the biocompatible and biodegradable collapsible polymeric stents, as well as the use of biocompatible, but not necessarily biodegradable polymeric materials for protective coatings of metallic stents and reservoirs of drugs, preventing restenosis and other post-operative complications that may occur after insertion of a stent, have been reviewed. Clinical results pointing out the advantages of such treatments, as well as results indicating their limitations, have been cited. New formulas, for coating implants, stents, and other medical devices, have been discussed. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.