Biodegradable polymers represent a significant leap in sustainable technology. Their ability to reduce environmental impact while enhancing medical treatments makes them a vital component of future healthcare practices.

In the quest for sustainable solutions, the medical healthcare sector is making significant strides with the development and application of biodegradable polymers. These innovations promise to reduce environmental impact, improve patient care, and advance medical technology.

Medical facilities generate a substantial amount of plastic waste, much of which is not recyclable due to contamination with biological materials. Traditional plastics, derived from petroleum, take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to the growing problem of plastic waste ^{[ 1 ]}.

Biodegradable polymers offer a solution to this challenge. These materials are designed to break down into natural substances, such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, through the action of microorganisms, reducing the amount of medical waste.

Recent research has focused on developing biodegradable polymers with properties suitable for medical applications.

Conducting polymers (CP) are valued in biosensors and bioelectronics for their biocompatibility and excellent mechanical and electrical properties. In this study, presented at the Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, researchers created hollow conducting polymer microcontainers from PLGA (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres, which exhibit low impedance and high charge storage capacity, making them promising for microelectrode applications and controlled drug delivery.

The integration of biodegradable polymers into medical devices and products is revolutionizing healthcare practices. They are used to create controlled-release drug delivery systems ^{[ 2 ]}; as sutures and implants, they naturally degrade in the body ^{[ 3 ]}; in tissue engineering ^{[ 4 ]}, they serve as scaffolds that support the growth of new tissue; and they are used in advanced wound dressings that also promote healing ^{[ 5 ]}.

The management of medical waste is a critical issue for healthcare facilities worldwide. Medical waste, which includes contaminated plastics, can pose significant environmental and health risks. Traditional waste management methods, such as incineration, release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.

Biodegradable solutions offer a preferable alternative for medical waste management. These materials can be composted or degraded in controlled environments, reducing the volume of waste that requires disposal through other methods. By using biodegradable polymers, healthcare facilities can help lower their environmental impact and promote a more sustainable waste management approach.

Biodegradable medical products can even simplify the disposal process. Since they break down into non-toxic components, the risks associated with handling and disposing of contaminated waste are also reduced, leading to safer waste management practices.

Electrical engineers specializing in nanotechnology play a crucial role in advancing biodegradable polymers for medical applications. Their expertise in nanoscale materials and processes enables the development of innovative biodegradable products with enhanced properties and functionalities.

One such engineer is IEEE member, Dola Sundeep, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, in Kurnool, India. Sundeep has dedicated his career to addressing biodegradable polymers and other substrates.

Source: I. D. Ibrahim, T. Jamiru, E. R. Sadiku and Y. Hamam, “Development and utilization OF Polymers in Biomedical Applications,” 2019 Open Innovations (OI), Cape Town, South Africa, 2019, pp. 165-170, doi: 10.1109/OI.2019.8908248

Sundeep says that nanotechnology can be used to engineer biodegradable polymers with precise degradation rates, ensuring that medical devices and drug delivery systems perform optimally within the body. Nanoscale modifications can also improve the mechanical strength, flexibility, and biocompatibility of these materials, making them more suitable for complex medical applications.

With his IEEE home in nanotechnology, Sundeep is actively engaged with creating smart biodegradable materials that respond to specific physiological conditions. For example, they can design polymers that release drugs in response to changes in temperature, pH, or other biological signals, providing targeted and controlled therapy.

He says, “Nanotechnology also facilitates the development of diagnostic and therapeutic devices that integrate biodegradable components. These devices can perform their intended functions and then safely degrade within the body or the environment, minimizing waste and reducing the need for additional disposal measures.”

While the advancements in biodegradable polymers are promising, several challenges remain. Sundeep points out that the production costs of biodegradable materials are currently higher than traditional plastics, which can limit their widespread adoption.

Advancement has been slow also due to processing challenges. In their paper, Fabrication of biodegradable microdevices toward medical application ^{[ 6 ]}, published in IEEE/ASME International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, the authors present a novel three-dimensional microfabrication system that can create detailed, biocompatible microstructures without toxic solvents, showing promise for implantable medical devices and tissue engineering applications.

As research and development continue to advance, the medical sector can look forward to more innovative applications that benefit both patients and the planet. The integration of biodegradable materials in healthcare not only addresses the plastic waste problem but also paves the way for more efficient, patient-friendly medical solutions.