Non-metallic biomaterials Flashcards
What are polymers?
- Polymers are made up of large numbers of similar repeat units linked to each other by covalent bonding
- Repeat units – monomers – most likely liquid form and then go through polymerisation to become a polymer – usually monomers are toxic (have to ensure no monomer residue)
Describe the two groups of polymers
Thermoplastics - polymers with linear molecules (substances that soften upon heating and can be remoulded and recycled)
Thermosets - substances that do not soften under heat and pressure and must be re-machined or incinerated to remove from the environment
Why do we use polymers for medical devices?
Biocompatible Easy to produce Often cheaper Designed to mimic Designed to prevent requirement for revision surgery
Name some inert polymers.
PMMA
Acrylic
Silicone
Name some thermoplastic polymers for biomaterials.
PMMA, Polyolefin, Teflon, Polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyester, nylon
Name some thermosetting polymers for biomaterials.
Butyl rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, epichlorohydrin rubber, polyurethane, natural rubber & silicon rubber
Name some thermosetting polymers for biomaterials.
Butyl rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, epichlorohydrin rubber, polyurethane, natural rubber & silicon rubber
What is PTFE commonly used for?
For a heart valve, it serves as a sewing ring / receptor for sutures
Shunts to carry cerebral spinal fluid from hydrocephalic patient
Middle ear drain tubes, sutures – heart valves
What are acrylic polymers used for?
e.g., PMMA
o Used for contact lenses, bone cement, dentures, maxillofacial prostheses
What are polyurethanes used for?
Vascular tubes, artificial heart assist devices
What are polyamides used for?
Applications in intracardiac catheters, components in dialysis device, sutures
What is silicone used for and what is the most widely used type?
o The most widely used is polydimethylsiloxane
o Used for:
Catheters, lines
Silicone prostheses: finger, toe, mammary, maxillofacial surgery
List the natural bioresorbable polymers.
o Fibrin – blood clotting o Collagen o Chitosan o Gelatin o Hyaluronan
List the synthetic bioresorbable polymers.
o PLA, PGA, PLGA,PCL (Polyorthoesters) o Poly(dioxanone) o Poly(anhydrides) o Poly(hydroxybuterates) o Polyphosphazenes
List the properties of PCL.
- Biodegradable polymer
- Semi-crystalline
- Modulus = 0.5 GPa, Strength = 16 MPa
- Low melting point (60 °C)