BIOMEDICAL POLYMERS

B.Sc. Project Report

Presented by
Paulami Bose +3 IIIrd Year CHEMISTRY Univ. Roll : 309S198 Exam Roll : D10/CH-012

Under the supervision of Dr. Tungabidya Maharana UG Department of Chemistry

What is Biomedical Polymer??

A variety of polymers have been used for medical care including preventive medicine, clinical inspections, and surgical treatments of diseases. Among the polymers employed for such medical purposes, a specified group of polymers are called polymeric biomaterials when they are used in direct contact with living cells of our body.

Biodegradable Polymers
1. A bioresorbable material is designed to degrade within the body after performing its function. 2. Minimal requirements of biomaterials
Non-toxic (biosafe) Effective Sterilizable Biocompatible

Applications
3.

Once implanted, a biodegradable device should maintain its mechanical properties until it is no longer needed and then be absorbed by the body leaving no trace. The backbone of the polymer is hydrolytically unstable. That is, the polymer is unstable in a water based environment. Biodegradable/hydrolysable polymers have specific applications in Sutures, Dental devices, Orthopedic fixation devices, Tissue engineering scaffolds and Biodegradable vascular stents

4.

Non-Biodegradable Polymer
Generally high molecular weight polymers that do not degrade in the body can be classified as bioinert. Most problems that occur are due to leaching of plasticisers and additives. It is important to characterise the grade in use.

Surface reactions and absorption of proteins can cause problems. Applications

Surface texture and form of the implant are important.

Images of Biomedical Polymers

Commercial sutures

Braided Polyester

Multifilament nylon Polythetrafluoroethylene

Schematic Diagram

an Artificial Kidney a Ventricular Assist Device

Applications of Biomedical polymers

Polymer
PDMS

Applications
Catheters Heart Valves ventricular assist devices Drug delivery, devices Dialysis membranes

Polymer
Polytetrafluoroethylene

Applications Heart valves Vascular grafts Nerve repair Catheters, hip, Prostheses Fracture fixation

Polyurethane PGA, PLA and PLGA

Polyethylene Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

Cellophane

Future Prospects
Developing biomaterials with surface modification techniques for the incorporation of low surface energy fluorocarbon containing surface modifying and bioactive agents Study of the biodegradation of composites and bonding of restorative resins to teeth/material interfaces. Use of degradable polymers with porous calcium polyphosphates for soft connective tissue-to-bone attachment. Degradable polymers for orthopedic tissue regeneration applications Analysis of material blood compatibility by protein adsorption, enzyme assays and platelet adhesion Development of antimicrobial materials for implantable medical devices Development of biodegradable vascular graft materials

Advantages of Biomedical Polymers

Disadvantages of Biomedical Polymers

Used as implant and will not necessitate a second surgical event for removal. Costly procedures have now been given new lower cost alternatives. Polymers will continue to improve medicine to make procedures and applications safer and more efficient.

Most of the clinically used biomaterials lack excellent biocompatibility Shows various problems when used as permanently as implants in our body. Low effectiveness is another problem of currently used biomaterials.

Conclusion
Indeed, biomaterials have already made a huge impact on medical practices. But, the opportunities that lie ahead of us are enormous. We expect that in the future, even more than today, surgeons will have available a number of products using biodegradable products that will speed patient recovery and eliminate follow-up surgeries.

References
Biomaterials, Artificial Organs and Tissue Engineering by Dr Robert Hill, Imperial College, London http:/ / www. cpia. ca/ anti-litter/ pdf/ BIODEGRADEABLE POLYMERS A REVIEW 24 Nov. 2000. Final. PDF http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=433261600