Poly , implantable fibers

Figure 4 Overview of conductivity of conducting polymers at room temperature, (a) stretched [CHClj)], (from Ref. 43a), (b) stretched [CHCIj)] (from Ref. 43b), (c) [CH(l3)], (from Ref. 43c), (d) [CH(l3)], (from Ref. 43d), (d ) [CH(1,)], (from Ref. 43e), (e) stretched PAN-HCl (from 43f), (f) PAN-CSA from m-cresol (from Ref. 43g), (g) PAN-CSA from OT-cresol (from Ref. 43h), (h) PAN derivative poly(o-toluidine) POT-CSA fiber from m-cresol (from Ref. 43i), (i) POT-HCl (from Ref. 43j), (j) sulfonated PAN (from Ref. 43k), (k) stretched PPy(PFg) from (Ref. 431), (1) PPy(PF ) ( ) PPy(TsO) (from Ref. 43m, 43n), (m) iodine doped poly(dodecylthiophene) (from Ref. 43o), (n) FeCl4 doped PT (from Ref. 43p), (o) PPV(H2S04) (from Ref. 43q), (p) PPP(Asp5) (from Ref. 43r), (q) Kr- implanted (polyphenylenebenzobisoxazole) (from Ref. 43s), (r) undoped trans-(CH (from Ref. 43t), (s) undoped cA-(CH)x from (Ref. 43u), (t) undoped PAN (EB) (from Ref. 43v), (u) undoped PPy (from Ref. 43w), (v) undoped PT (from Ref. 43p, (w) undoped PPV (from Ref. 43x), (x) undoped PPP (from Ref 43y). The conductivity reported for the undoped polymers should be considered an upper limit due to the possibility of impurities.

At present a few studies of nanofibers and nanombes are focused on CNS drug delivery. One study evaluated electrospun nanofibers of a degradable polymer, PLGA, loaded with antiinflammatory agent, dexamethasone, for neural prosthetic applications (Abidian and Martin, 2005). A conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), was deposited to the nano-fiber surface and the coated nanofibers were then mounted on the microfabricated neural microelectrodes, which were implanted into brain. The drug was released by electrical stimulation that induced a local dilation of the coat and increased permeability. 

Poly(propylene) is one of the biocompatible, biostable polymer used widely in clinical applications ranging from sutures to load-bearing implants (Figure 18.1b). Poly(propylene) has fiber-forming characteristics and has been used in the treatment of ventral incisional hernia [22,23]. Poly(propylene) has excellent stiffness and strength when compared to polyethylene [24]. Superior mechanical performance in fatigue and temperature resistance offers sufficient mechanical property even at body temperature and able to bear millions... 

---