Biomedical polymers oriented

The primary technique for the surface analysis of polymers (3-4), including biomaterials (5-6) over the last decade has been X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or GSCA). The technique has been employed to study the interfacial orientation, contamination, modifications, eg plasma treatments (7) and protein deposition on biomedical polymers ( ). While XPS provides valuable multi-element (except hydrogen) and chemical state information, the limited range... 

Inc., and Teijin Ltd., which is known as Ingeo in the USA and Biofront in Japan. Another company, Purac, also produces biomedical application-oriented PLA-based materials under the PURASORB brand name. Figure 8.1 shows the synthesis, recycUng, and degradation of PLLA [13]. However, due to the recent initiation of the production of biobased polyethylene (PE) from bio-ethanol, PLLA is not the sole mass-produced biobased polymer. To forestall biobased PE and other biobased polymers that will be produced in the near future, high performance PLA-based materials must be developed to suppress their hydrolytic/thermal degradabiUty and increase their mechanical performance. 

The development of synthetic routes to new polyphosphazene structures began in the mid 1960 s (2-4). The initial exploratory development of this field has now been followed by a rapid expansion of synthesis research, characterization, and applications-oriented work. The information shown in Figure 3 illustrates the sequence of development of synthetic pathways to polyphosphazenes. It seems clear that this field has grown into a major area of polymer chemistry and that polyphosphazenes, as well as other inorganic macromolecules, will be used increasingly in practical applications where their unique properties allow the solution of difficult engineering and biomedical problems. 

Advances in biomedical applications of nanomaterials require a multidisciplinary research orientation with a focus on both the engineering aspects of nanofiber mats as well as their biological interactions at the implant site. W.-J. Li et al. (2005a) suggest two promising directions for future research bioactivation and incorporation of controlled release functionality into polymers. 

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