Polymers in Medicine: Biomedical and Pharmacological Applications

Front Matter....Pages i-x
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Characteristic Biological Effects of Anionic Polymers....Pages 3-22
Polymeric Antitumour Agents on a Molecular and on a Cellular Level?....Pages 23-32
Utilization of Stabilized Forms of Polynucleotides....Pages 33-55
Application of the Congener Approach to the Design and Synthesis of Peptide-Catecholamine Conjugates....Pages 57-75
New Polymeric and Oligomeric Matrices as Drug Carriers....Pages 77-95
Development of N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)Methacrylamide Copolymers as Carriers of Therapeutic Agents....Pages 97-113
Biologically Active Compounds Immobilized on Cellulose Derivatives....Pages 115-137
Preparation of Enzyme Polymers for Therapeutical Use: Preliminary “In Vivo” Study....Pages 139-145
Synthesis and Characterization of Covalently Bound Polymer-Hormone Conjugates for the Controlled Release of Hormones....Pages 147-156
Improved Drug Delivery to Target Specific Organs Using Liposomes as Coated with Polysaccharides....Pages 157-168
Synthesis and Release of Contraceptive Steroids from Bioerodible Poly(Ortho Ester)S....Pages 169-178
Press-Coated Systems for Drug Release Control....Pages 179-186
Polymeric Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems: Preparation and Evaluation of Pilocarpine-Containing Inserts....Pages 187-199
Basic Physical Parameters of Polymeric Matrices Influencing Drug Release....Pages 201-211
Front Matter....Pages 213-213
Polymers in Medicine — An Overview....Pages 215-218
Functional Polyesters and Polyamides for Medical Applications of Biodegradable Polymers....Pages 219-230
Polyurethanes as Biomaterials — Assessment of Blood Compatibility....Pages 231-245
Synthesis, Structural Study and Preliminary Hemocompatibility Tests of AB and ABA Block Copolymers with Polyvinyl and Polypeptide Blocks....Pages 247-260
Interactions of Some Plasmatic Proteins with Anticoagulant Polystyrene Resins: Mechanism of Catalytic Activity Towards the Thrombin— Antithrombin Reaction....Pages 261-270
Characterization and Albumin Adsorption on Surface Oxidized Polyethylene Films....Pages 271-285
Front Matter....Pages 213-213
Radiation Induced Modification of Polyetherurethane Tubes with Hema and Acrylamide....Pages 287-295
Improvement of the Biocompatibility of Polymers Through Surface Modification....Pages 297-309
Physical Characterization of Poly(2-Hydroxyethylmethacrylate) Gels: Effect of the Diluent Content on the Mechanical and Transport Properties....Pages 311-320
Front Matter....Pages 321-321
The Design of a Small Diameter Arterial Replacement....Pages 323-328
The Development of Small Diameter Vascular Prostheses....Pages 329-331
Testing Devices for the Evaluation of Prosthetic Heart Valves....Pages 333-347
Development and Testing of a New Prosthetic Heart Valve....Pages 349-357
Heparin-Like Substances and Blood-Compatible Polymers Obtained from Chitin and Chitosan....Pages 359-374
Advances in the Development of Extraction Resistant Flexible PVC Compounds....Pages 375-387
Immobilization of Enzymes on Hollow Fibers Assembled after Chemical Modification....Pages 389-393
Polymer Composite Materials in Orthopaedic Surgery....Pages 395-406
Back Matter....Pages 407-420