Biodegradable and biocompatible materials are generally known--e.g., aliphatic polyesters of the types polyglycolic acid (PGA) or polylactic acid (PLA) and their compounds (PGA/PLA); enantiomeric forms and racemic compounds in various proportions, e.g., poly-L-lactate (PLLA), poly-D-lactate (PDLA), poly-DL-lactate (PDLLA), L-lactate/DL-lactate, or L-lactate/D-lactate.