How Bioabsorbable Technology is Revolutionizing Medicine
A new era of medical implants that simply vanish after doing their job is already transforming patient lives.
Imagine a medical implant that stabilizes a broken bone, supports a healing artery, or reinforces tissue after surgery—and then simply dissolves away inside the body once its work is done. This isn't science fiction; it's the reality of bioabsorbable technology, one of the most transformative advances in modern medicine.
Unlike traditional metal implants that remain permanently in the body, often requiring secondary removal surgeries and posing long-term risks, these innovative devices provide temporary support before being safely metabolized and eliminated by the body 1 . From orthopedic screws that eliminate follow-up operations to vascular scaffolds that restore blood flow and then disappear, bioabsorbable technology is redefining medical treatment across virtually every specialty.
Global market in 2024
Projected market by 2034 7
Traditional medical implants made from metals or permanent polymers have saved countless lives, but they come with significant limitations. Because they remain in the body indefinitely, they can lead to long-term complications including chronic inflammation, infection, and immune reactions 1 .
Rigid metal implants can cause "stress shielding," where they bear the mechanical load instead of the surrounding bone, leading to bone weakening and potential failure over time 1 .
Permanent implants often require additional surgeries for removal, particularly in pediatric cases where growing bodies outgrow their implants. These subsequent procedures expose patients to additional anesthesia risks, potential complications, and increased healthcare costs 1 7 .
Bioabsorbable implants address these challenges by design. Made from materials that safely break down into non-toxic by-products the body can metabolize and eliminate, they provide temporary support during the critical healing period before gradually dissolving . This eliminates the need for removal surgeries, reduces long-term complication risks, and allows natural tissue regeneration and restoration of function 1 .
Bioabsorbable implants are typically crafted from specially engineered materials that combine initial mechanical strength with controlled breakdown profiles.
These synthetic polymers have a long history of medical use, particularly in absorbable sutures. Their degradation rates and mechanical properties can be tailored for different applications .
This biologically-derived material offers an excellent balance of strength and controlled absorption. It's used in BD's Phasix™ mesh for hernia repair, which maintains strength for approximately 16 weeks before gradually absorbing over 12-18 months 5 .
Metals like the WE43 magnesium alloy developed by companies such as Medical Magnesium offer the familiar strength of metal with the unique advantage of biodegradability. These alloys slowly corrode in the body at controlled rates while releasing non-toxic ions that the body can safely metabolize 1 4 .
Zinc-based alloys provide another metallic option with controlled degradation profiles suitable for various medical applications, as demonstrated in recent research comparing manufacturing methods 4 .
The absorption process of these materials follows a carefully engineered timeline :
The implant provides immediate mechanical support, such as holding bone fragments together or keeping an artery open.
Through hydrolysis and enzymatic activity, the material begins breaking down at a rate synchronized with the tissue healing process.
As the implant gradually dissolves, natural tissue grows into the space, eventually replacing the artificial scaffold with living tissue.
The implant fully dissolves into non-toxic by-products that the body safely metabolizes or excretes, leaving no permanent foreign material behind.
A key challenge in bioabsorbable technology, particularly for metals, is ensuring they dissolve at the right rate—remaining intact long enough to serve their purpose before safely disappearing. Recent groundbreaking research has shed new light on how manufacturing methods influence this critical property.
In the first-ever direct comparison of its kind, researchers from IMDEA Materials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon Institute, and Meotec GmbH conducted a pioneering study on corrosion resistance in magnesium and zinc bioalloys produced by different methods 4 .
The research team, led by Guillermo Domínguez, set out to systematically compare two manufacturing techniques—traditional extrusion versus advanced Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) 3D printing—for creating bioabsorbable metal implants 4 .
They tested WE43 magnesium alloy and Zn1Mg zinc alloy, creating samples using both extrusion and LPBF methods.
Some samples from both manufacturing methods received a Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) surface treatment, which creates a protective oxide layer to control degradation rates.
All samples underwent rigorous electrochemical testing in a buffered saline solution that simulated the body's internal environment, allowing precise measurement of corrosion resistance.
The results, published in Surface and Coatings Technology, revealed striking differences in how manufacturing methods affect implant performance 4 :
| Material | Manufacturing Method | Corrosion Resistance | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE43 Magnesium | Extrusion | High | More uniform structure resists degradation |
| WE43 Magnesium | LPBF (3D Printing) | Low | Yttrium oxide particles weaken corrosion layer |
| Zn1Mg Zinc | Extrusion | High | Controlled microstructure resists corrosion |
| Zn1Mg Zinc | LPBF (3D Printing) | Low | Eutectic phases accelerate microgalvanic degradation |
| Material & Method | PEO Treatment Effectiveness | Performance After Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| WE43 Magnesium (LPBF) | Limited | Still high corrosion due to uneven oxide layer |
| Zn1Mg Zinc (LPBF) | Highly Effective | Better than extruded versions after treatment |
| All Extruded Samples | Moderate Improvement | Consistently good corrosion resistance |
The research demonstrated that 3D-printed samples generally corroded faster than their extruded counterparts, but for different reasons in each material. In WE43 magnesium, this was linked to yttrium oxide particles in the LPBF samples that weakened the protective corrosion layer. In Zn1Mg zinc, the higher corrosion rate was attributed to an increased volume of eutectic phases that accelerated microgalvanic degradation 4 .
Most notably, the study revealed that surface treatment could dramatically reverse these disadvantages for some materials. After PEO treatment, the LPBF-fabricated Zn1Mg samples actually outperformed the extruded versions in corrosion resistance. This reversal was tied to phosphorus-rich protective layers that formed during surface modification, stabilizing the protective oxide layer 4 .
| Material | Estimated Degradation Period | Key Clinical Implications |
|---|---|---|
| P4HB Polymer | 12-18 months | Ideal for soft tissue repair where longer support is needed |
| PLA/PGA Polymers | Months to years | Degradation rate can be tailored to specific applications |
| Magnesium Alloys | Several months to 2 years | Provides immediate strong support for bone healing |
| Zinc Alloys | 1-2 years | More gradual degradation profile than magnesium |
Creating effective bioabsorbable implants requires specialized materials and technologies. Here are the key tools and materials driving this revolution:
Materials like RESOMER® polymers used by Bellaseno provide clinically validated bioresorbable platforms that degrade safely as patient tissue regenerates 1 .
Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printers enable companies like 4D Biomaterials to create highly detailed, patient-specific implants with complex micro-scale geometries previously unattainable 1 .
Processes like Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) create protective oxide layers that control degradation rates, addressing corrosion challenges identified in recent research 4 .
Advanced scaffolds like Abbott's Esprit BTK device combine structural support with drug delivery, using sirolimus to inhibit restenosis and promote vessel healing 6 .
The theoretical promise of bioabsorbable technology is already translating into real-world medical applications that are improving patient outcomes across multiple specialties.
In vascular medicine, bioabsorbable scaffolds represent what Dr. Eric Secemsky of Harvard Medical School calls a potential "new paradigm for femoropopliteal endovascular intervention" 8 .
Devices like Abbott's Esprit drug-eluting resorbable scaffold provide transient support to keep arteries open after angioplasty, elute medication to prevent restenosis, and then gradually dissolve, restoring natural vessel function 6 .
Clinical Results: The MOTIV-BTK trial reported 80% primary patency and 93% freedom from target lesion revascularization at three years 8 .
Orthopedics has been transformed by bioabsorbable screws and pins, particularly for pediatric patients. Companies like Auxein Medical are developing screws that provide immediate stabilization for fractures while gradually dissolving to support natural bone growth 7 .
This eliminates the need for invasive removal surgeries that would otherwise be necessary in growing children whose bones would be restricted by permanent implants 7 .
Patient Benefit: Eliminates secondary surgeries, reduces anesthesia exposure, and allows natural bone development in pediatric cases.
In hernia repair, BD has launched the Phasix™ ST Umbilical Hernia Patch, the first fully absorbable hernia patch specifically designed for umbilical hernias 5 .
Composed of biologically-derived P4HB polymer, it can be deployed using the same technique surgeons use with permanent mesh while providing the key advantage of complete absorption after serving its purpose 5 .
Patient Preference: Recent survey data indicates that 60% of patients prefer a non-permanent mesh option for hernia repair, driving rapid adoption of these technologies 5 .
"I've been waiting and hoping for this product to come to market for many years, and I'm thrilled that it's finally here for us to use."
As research progresses, the next generation of bioabsorbable technology is taking shape. Scientists are working to develop materials with even more precise degradation timelines, enhanced mechanical properties, and integrated therapeutic functions.
The integration of bioresorbable electronics and drug delivery systems is opening new therapeutic possibilities, creating "smart" implants that can monitor healing progress and deliver targeted therapies before dissolving .
Researchers are also exploring advanced manufacturing techniques like 4D printing, which creates materials that can change shape or function in response to physiological stimuli over time 3 .
As these innovations mature, we may see increasingly sophisticated implants that not only provide structural support but also actively guide and enhance the body's natural healing processes.
Bioabsorbable technology represents a fundamental shift in medical implant philosophy—from permanent foreign objects to temporary supportive partners in healing.
By working with the body's natural processes rather than against them, these innovative devices are reducing surgical risks, improving long-term outcomes, and transforming patient experiences across medicine.
This enthusiasm reflects the broader medical community's recognition that the era of disappearing implants isn't just coming—it's already revolutionizing patient care.
For further reading on digital healthcare innovations and startup technologies shaping this field, GreyB's exclusive report covers details about innovations, startups, and companies driving these changes 1 .