Biomedical polymer composites and applications

As can be concluded from the above facts, biomaterials have been used for more than seven decades now to replace damaged tissues and improve body functions in the human body. Advances in technology and the arrival of imiovative products have enhanced the performance and widened the field of appHcations of biomaterials. While metals and ceramics currently have the Ron s share in the biomaterials market, polymers, and composites based on polymer matrices are 

Edited by Sabu Thomas, Kuruvilla Joseph, S. K. Malhotra, Koichi Goda and M. S. Sreekala. 

This work aims to focus on the important advances made in the last decade in the field of biomaterials based on polymer matrix composites. But first let us take a look at the pure economic facts and discover the reason behind the intense interest on the research on biomaterials, of course, those apart from the humanitarian 

The biomaterials market is stiU in a flourishing phase, with about 100000 heart valves, 200000 pacemakers and 1 million orthopedic devices implanted worldwide every year. Increase in applications has increased the demand for new biomaterials from 8% to 15%. Improved patient life and faster recovery are the most important factors stimulating market growth for biomaterials. The other market drivers are increase in mortality rate, increasing health awareness, shorter product approval time, and larger application areas as the field is growing wider and wider. 

First level material Chemical/biological Physical Mechanical/stmctural 

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The past 10 years have been characterized by an explosion in the field of materials science. It cannot be denied that scientists all over the world exdted by the development of smart polymers, composites, and systems invest effort in studying them in potential biomedical appUcations. The term Smart defines a material or system having the ability of adapting itself to external stimulus by a number of ways, for example, shape shifting. The most known nonpolymer biomaterial is the shape memory alloys, such as NiTinol, with many dental applications [111]. Smart polymers are still under development [112, 113], some are already commercially available as in the case of smart polyurethanes (DiAPLEX ) by Mitsui Polymers. Recently, a cardiology product has been released in the market featuring smart characteristics. The discussion is about a cardiology stent dilated with the help of a balloon made from smart shape memory polyurethane as described in a 2002 US patent, and placed inside the blocked arteries of a patient [114]. 

Fiber-reinforced composites contain strong fibers embedded in a continuous phase. They form the basis of many of the advanced and space-age products. They are important because they offer strength without weight and good resistance to weathering. Typical fibers are fiberous glass, carbon-based, aromatic nylons, and polyolefins. Typical resins are polyimides, polyesters, epoxys, PF, and many synthetic polymers. Applications include biomedical, boating, aerospace and outer space, sports, automotive, and industry. 

Fatty acid based biodegradable polymers have many biomedical applications. This short review focuses on controlled drug delivery using two classes of the polymers polyanhydrides and polyesters based on fatty acids as drug carriers. Different polymer types and compositions are summarized showing the potential of these polymers as drug carriers. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Princeton University. While at Princeton, his research was directed by Arthur V. Tobolsky in the area of polymer physical chemistry. He is currently professor of chemical engineering at the University of Wisconsin where, since 1967, he has been active in polymer research. He has published more than 80 papers on topics covering polyurethane block polymers, inomers, polymer yield mechanisms, composites, and fiber physics. His current research includes studies of protein and thrombus deposition on polymers used in biomedical applications. Professor Cooper is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and has served on the Board of Trustees of Argonne Universities Association. 

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