Biodegradable Polymers in Cardiovascular and Soft Tissue Repair
A significant trend in 2026 is the "transient implant"—a device designed to perform its function and then disappear. Biodegradable polymers like PLA, PLGA, and specialized polyurethanes are being used to create scaffolds for cardiac repair and vascular grafts.
In the case of bioresorbable stents, the device provides the necessary structural support to keep a blood vessel open for several months during the healing process. Once the vessel has remodeled and can support itself, the polymer breaks down into harmless byproducts (like water and carbon dioxide) that the body naturally excretes. This approach eliminates the long-term risks associated with permanent "metal caging" of vessels, such as chronic inflammation or late-stage thrombosis, and removes the need for secondary surgeries.