International Polymer Processing, Vol.14, No.4, 322-325, 1999
Processing of biodegradable polymer composites as a drug delivery system in vitro
This report explores the alternative of processing biodegradable polymer-antibiotic composites as a long-term drug release. Polymer-antibiotic composite bean's Mere manufactured by a compression-sintering technique. An elution method was employed to characterize the release rate of antibiotic over a 35-day period at 37 degrees C. Biodegradable polymer composites released high concentrations of antibiotic (well above the breakpoint sensitivity concentration) in vitro for the period of time needed to treat bone infection; i.e. 4 to 6 weeks. By changing the processing variables, one is able to control the release rate of the beads. This provides advantages of meeting the specific antibiotic requirement for patients with various surgical infections.
Keywords:ANTIBIOTICS;DEVICES