Biodegradable polymers in controlled drug delivery.

Erosion mechanisms are divided into three types and drug release within each type is described. Type I erosion involves hydrolysis of hydrogels and these are useful in the controlled release of macromolecules entangled within their network structure. Type II erosion involves solubilization of water-insoluble polymers by reactions involving groups pendant from the polymer backbone. Of particular interest are polymers that solubilize by ionization of carboxylic acid groups, and the utilization of those systems is described. Type III erosion involves cleavage of hydrolytically labile bonds within the polymer backbone and four distinct polymer systems within this category are under development. One system involves the diffusion of drugs from a reservoir through a bioerodible membrane, another system utilizes microcapsules, a third system utilizes monolithic devices, and the fourth system utilizes drugs chemically bound to a bioerodible polymer.