Polyhydroxyalkanoate implants

Turesin, F. Gursel, I. and Hasirci, V. Biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate implants for osteomyelitis therapy in vitro antibiotic release. J. Biomater. Sci. Polym. Ed. 

An important development of orthopaedic implants has been the development of artificial composites, which when combined with biomolecules will induce osteogenesis. The properties of hydroxyapatite (HA) materials have been studied over the years with a view to increasing elasticity. Because biocompatibility has been a problem when HA has been combined with various polyethylenes and polysulphones, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and its chemical composites, a polymer of hydroxybutyric acid (PHB), copolymers of hydroxybutyric acid and... 

Fig. 15 Physical appearances of the electrospun polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) scaffolds before and after 4 and 12 weeks of subcutaneous implantation in rat. (Reprinted with permission from Ying et al. 2008. Copyright 2007, Elsevier Ltd.)...

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) is a family of structurally diverse biopolyesters accumulated by many bacteria as carbon and energy source (Figure 16.1)d PHA have been exploited with a series of applications including environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics for packaging purposes, biofuels, medical implants, and recently, smart materials. PHA monomers are also produced as chiral intermediates for medical or fine chemical applications. ... 

Polyhydroxyalkanoate is a polyester identified in 1925 by the microbiologist Maurice Lemoigne. It can be synthesised by various bacteria (Alcaligenes Eutrophus, cyanobacteria). Lower concentrations of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus sources increase the yield and the quality of the polymers produced (Steinbiichel, 2002). There are numerous potential applications for PHA (cosmetics containers, disposable articles, medical implants, paper coatings). Moreover, PHA can be formulated in many grades, from elastic products to crystalline ones, it is a good candidate for blends and easy to process with traditional equipment (Whitehouse, 2000). 

---