Conjugated polymers biomedical applications

Swarts JC, Neuse EW, Lamprecht GJ (1994) Synthesis and characterization of water-soluble polyaspartamide-ferrocene conjugates for biomedical applications. J Inorg Organomet Polym 4 143-153... 

E. Smela, Conjugated polymer actuators for biomedical applications, Atfv. Mater., 15 (6), 481-494 (2003). 

Jeffamine M-1000 increases the pH and hemolytic activities [34]. Modifying the side chains with amino acids valine, leucine, and phenylalanine imparts pH-responsive properties onto the polymer, which could be useful for many biomedical applications [36]. Polymers with PEG side chains have been developed into micelles and show enhanced uptake in spheroids formed with HeLa cells [37]. These polymers have also been conjugated to fluorescent dyes, which could be used for drug-tracking applications [38,39]. 

A famous example of multifunctionality in polymeric materials for biomedical applications is the concept of polymer-drag conjugates as introduced by Ringsdorf in 1975 [3] (Fig. 5.2). The various functionalities are introduced by a combination of copolymerization and polymer analogous reactions. It has to be noted that for drug delivery carrier polymers, not only the functionality but also the molar mass are of high importance for the apphcation since it defines not only the solubihty but also the half-life time in blood and the uptake in specific cells and the excretion from the kidneys. 

Lewis et al. were able to form bioconjugates using a bis-sulfone polymer. Conjugation of NHS end-functionalized 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcho-line (MPC) to interferon (IFN)-a2a was unsuccessful, so a different route to create bioconjugates was required. Poly MPC has been used in a wide range of biomedical applications, notably in the solubilization of drugs such as paclitaxel and amphotericin A bis-sulfide initiator... 

E. Smela, Conjugated Polymer Actuators for Biomedical Applications. Adv. Mater. 2003,15,481-494. 

The applications of graphene/conjugated polymer nanocomposites have been extensively explored due to their unique properties and the synergistic effect of graphene-based fillers and conjugated polymer nanocomposites. The graphene/conjugated polymer nanocomposites are expected to find applications in many fields, such as DSSC, transparent electrodes, pharmaceutical, biomedical, environmental field and touch screen [168-192]. 

Because polypyrrole operates in aqueous electrolytes at room temperature, the largest niche for conjugated polymer microactuators is biomedical applications. Commercialization efforts are underway for blood vessel coimectors, a valve to prevent urinary incontinence, and a Braille display [25,122,133]. One area that requires further research is the temperature-dependence of actuator metrics, because for biomedical applications the devices must be operated at 37°C. In PPy(DBS) microactuators, strain increases from room temperature to body temperature by 45%, and they are 250% faster, but the blocked force drops [126]. 

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