Biomedical applications poly

Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications. On account of its low toxicity and unique properties, poly(ethylene oxide) is utilized in a variety of pharmaceutical and biomedical appHcations. 

Figure 12.30 Potential uses of polyphosphazenes (a) A thin film of a poly(aminophosphazene) sueh materials are of interest for biomedical applications, (b) Fibres of poly[bis(trifluoroethoxy)phosphazene] these fibres are water-repellant, resistant to hydrolysis or strong sunlight, and do not burn, (c) Cotton cloth treated with a poly(fluoroalkoxyphosphazene) showing the water repellaney eonferred by the phosphazene. (d) Polyphosphazene elastomers are now being manufaetured for use in fuel lines, gaskets, O-rings, shock absorbers, and carburettor eomponents they are impervious to oils and fuels, do not bum, and remain flexible at very low temperatures. Photographs by eourtesy of H. R. Allcock (Pennsylvania State University) and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.

An idea of the range of materials and applications for polymers in medicine can be gained from the information in Table 10.1. As can be seen from this table a number of polymers are used in medical applications. One particular such polymer is poly (methyl methacrylate), PMMA. Early on it was used as the material for fabricating dentures later other biomedical applications developed. For example, PMMA is now used as the cement in the majority of hip replacement operations worldwide. 

Among other uses, these polymers have been employed in a variety of biomedical applications. Poly(phosphazenes) containing organic side chains, derived from the anaesthetics procaine and benzocaine, have been used to prolong the anaesthetic effect of their precursor drugs. They have also been used as the bioerodable matrix for the controlled delivery of drugs. 

Harris JM (ed) (1992) Poly(ethylene glycol) chemistry biotechnical and biomedical applications. Plenum, New York... 

POLY (ETHYLENE GLYCOL) CHEMISTRY Biotechnical and Biomedical Applications... 

Drug Release from PHEMA-l-PIB Networks. Amphiphilic networks due to their distinct microphase separated hydrophobic-hydrophilic domain structure posses potential for biomedical applications. Similar microphase separated materials such as poly(HEMA- -styrene-6-HEMA), poly(HEMA-6-dimethylsiloxane- -HEMA), and poly(HEMA-6-butadiene- -HEMA) triblock copolymers have demonstrated better antithromogenic properties to any of the respective homopolymers (5-S). Amphiphilic networks are speculated to demonstrate better biocompatibility than either PIB or PHEMA because of their hydrophilic-hydrophobic microdomain structure. These unique structures may also be useful as swellable drug delivery matrices for both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs due to their amphiphilic nature. Preliminary experiments with theophylline as a model for a water soluble drug were conducted to determine the release characteristics of the system. Experiments with lipophilic drugs are the subject of ongoing research. 

R. Esfand and D. A. Tomalia, Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers From biomimicry to drug delivery and biomedical applications, Drug Discov. Today, 6 (2001) 427 136. 

Tjerneld, F. (1992) Aqueous two-phase partitioning on an industrial scale. In Poly (Ethylene Glycol) Chemistry Biotechnical and Biomedical Applications (J.M. Harris, ed.), pp. 85-102. Plenum, New York. 

Semitelechelic Poly[A -(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide] for Biomedical Applications... 

Harris, J. M., Ed. Poly(ethylene glycol) Chemistry, Biotechnical and Biomedical Applications, Plenum Press, New York, NY, 1992. 

Another example of composites in biomedical applications is graphite-fiber-reinforced bone cement. Self-curing poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, is used extensively as a bone cement in orthopedic surgery for fixation of endoprostheses... 

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