Smart Polymers in Medicine

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The rapid progress in biomedical research has resulted in numerous innovative uses for biocompatible polymers. In contemporary medicine, with an increased understanding of both physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms, there is a growing emphasis on replicating or, when possible, recreating the functionality of a healthy system to facilitate healing. This has led to the emergence of smart polymers designed for responsive drug delivery. These soft materials, consisting of polymers, exhibit significant responses to subtle changes in their surroundings. Researchers are increasingly drawn to the development of novel drug delivery systems using smart polymers. The significance of these polymers is escalating, given their ability to undergo substantial reversible physical or chemical changes in reaction to minor alterations in environmental factors such as pH, temperature, dual stimuli, light, and phase transition. This characteristic holds great promise for biomedical applications, enabling the targeted treatment of various diseases through microenvironment stimuli. Smart polymers offer a potential avenue for targeted drug delivery, improved drug delivery, gene therapy, enhanced patient compliance, drug stability maintenance, and easy manufacturability. Yet, there are numerous research opportunities to be explored to develop perfect delivery methods that are biodegradable, biocompatible, and easy to administer, as well as release the integrated agent in a chemically and conformationally stable form for a longer duration. However, it is possible to conclude that smart polymers offer immense potential in biotechnology and healthcare applications if these difficulties are solved. This article provides an overview of the essential attributes and applications of smart polymers in the medical field, highlighting the current research status and envisioning the future potential of smart polymers in advancing medical technologies