Polymers for use in the stomach

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here - so just to introduce myself, I am a chemical technician
working in a large pharmaceutical company. I am studying part-time for
a masters in materials science, which I am enjoying very much. As part
of my course I have a project to complete on materials selection and
design of a gastric balloon. These are devices inserted into the
stomach of clinically obese patients, which inflate into balloons or
bubbles that give the patient a feeling of being full thus reducing
their appetite.

I have a lot of work to do on this (as I understand this application is
particularly challenging due to polymer degradation) so I am not
looking for someone to give me all the answers. What I would like
however is to hear the experience of anyone who has been involved in
sucha project and the particular challenges they faced.

Thanks in advance,

Bobby

.