Bioresorbable polymers are currently being used in degradable medical applications such
as sutures and orthopaedic fixation devices. With new production methods, nanostructures are being fabricated which could be used as temporary implants.

Bioresorbable implants will biodegrade and do not have to be removed in a subsequent
operation. In one application, nanostructured implants are being designed to degrade at a
rate that will slowly transfer load to a healing bone that it is supporting.

Research is also being done on a flexible nanofiber membrane mesh that can be applied
to heart tissue in open-heart surgery. The mesh can be infused with antibiotics, painkillers
and medicines in small quantities and directly applied to internal tissues. The
nanomaterial will degrade over time and not stick to surgeons’ wet gloves, which can
complicate the use of some materials currently in use.