[Studies on a kind of new biodegradable material--polycaprolactone and developments in medical area]

Nowadays, there are more and more researches on characters and applications of polycaprolactone (PCL). This paper reviews the researches of polycaprolactone, including its synthesis, physical and chemical properties, biodegradation, absorption properties, and its applications in clinical use and drug delivery systems. PCL can be from open ring polymerizaion. It is a kind of semi-crystalline polymer, and has good flexibility. The degradation reaction of PCL is hydrolysis. PCL is not cumulated in the body, and can be totally excreted. It can be used as suture, material for fixation of bone fracture, vector of drug, etc. PCL is widely used in medical area because of its safety, low toxicity, biodegradability.