Application of responsive polymers in implantable medical devices and biosensors

Implantable devices are man-made implants partly or totally introduced into the human body and intended to remain after the procedure. These devices reside within the human body either temporarily or permanently, for diagnostic, monitoring, or therapeutic purposes. Examples include catheters, stents, drug delivery systems, pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, and neurostimulators. Currently more than 25 million US citizens rely on them for life-critical functions (Daniel, 2008). The market was valued at 43.1 billion in 2011 and is expected to increase 8% annually over 7 years to be worth 73.9billion by 2018 (Implantable Medical, 2013). 

Switchable and Respmisive Snr ices and Materials for Biomedical Applications. http //dx.doi.or l0.1016/B978-0-85709 713 2.00011-0 Copyrighl 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved 

Switchable and Responsive Surfaces and Materials for Biomedical Applications 

As a real medical device is implanted, the injury during the implantation and involvement of microbial burden makes the material-body interactions more complex. 

Responsive polymers have uniqne biocompatibility issues when applied as implants since the foreign body interactions may impact both their responsiveness and stability. Protein and cell foirling are especially crucial for implantable diagnostic devices that monitor-responsive signals continuously in vivo (Gifford et al., 2006). Capsulation and thrombus formation around the devices can result in decreased function and ultimately 

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Application of responsive polymers in implantable medical devices and biosensors... 

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