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A review of polyvinyl alcohol and its uses in cartilage and orthopedic applications
Author(s) -
Baker Maribel I.,
Walsh Steven P.,
Schwartz Zvi,
Boyan Barbara D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.32694
Subject(s) - polyvinyl alcohol , biocompatibility , materials science , biomedical engineering , cartilage , polyvinyl acetate , polymer , composite material , medicine , anatomy , metallurgy
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a synthetic polymer derived from polyvinyl acetate through partial or full hydroxylation. PVA is commonly used in medical devices due to its low protein adsorption characteristics, biocompatibility, high water solubility, and chemical resistance. Some of the most common medical uses of PVA are in soft contact lenses, eye drops, embolization particles, tissue adhesion barriers, and as artificial cartilage and meniscus. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the available published information on PVA with respect to its safety as a medical device implant material for cartilage replacement. The review includes historical clinical use of PVA in orthopedics, and in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility studies. Finally, the safety recommendation involving the further development of PVA cryogels for cartilage replacement is addressed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2012.