Polymers

Smitha ck

POLYMERS
Elastomers; able to withstand large deformations and return to their
original dimensions after releasing the stretching force.
Plastics; are more rigid

materials
Thermoplastic (can be

reused, melted)

Thermosetting (cant)
Elastomers
include,
butyl
rubber,
chlorosulfonated
polyethylene,
epichlorohydrin,rubber, polyurethane,natural
rubber and silicone rubber.
Polymers toxicity
Residual monomers due to incomplete polymerization/catalyst
used for polymerization may cause irritations.
October 5, 2014

Classification of Polymers(Molecular
Structure of the polymers)

Synthetic Biopolymers
Importance of composition, mol. Wt,
amount of unreacted polymer, catalyst
involved, degree of crystallinity, additives
on biocompatibility, mechanical and
other properties

Polymer

Specific Properties

Biomedical uses

Polyethylene

Low cost, easy Possibility excellent

electrical insulation properties,
excellent
chemical
resistance,
toughness and flexibility even at
low temperatures

Tubes for various

catheters, hip
joint, knee joint
prostheses

Polypropylene

Excellent chemical resistance, weak

permeability to water vapors good
transparency and surface reflection.

Yarn for surgery,

sutures

Tetrafluoroethylen Chemical
inertness,
exceptional
e
weathering and heat resistance,
nonadhesive, very low coefficient
of friction

Vascular and
auditory
prostheses,
catheters tubes

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List of the more important Polymers in

BiomedicalApplications
1. PE & PP
UHMWPE (2 x 106g/mol)
Isotactic, syndiotactic, atactic forms
Acetabular cups, knee joints, blood vessels, suture
2. Perfluorinated Polymers
PTFE: fixation of heart valves, impregnated into PET
sutures, hearing aids
3. Acrylic Polymers
PMMA: opthalmology, bone cement
Additives such as barium sulfate or barium oxide
important
Composition of moldable dough determines short
curing time and other properties
4.

Hydrogels: intraocular lenses, cartilage material

List of the more important Polymers in

Biomedical Applications
1. Polyurethanes:
urethane linkage: (-O-CO-NH-)
Segmented polymers: soft and hard segments
Aorta patch grafts, Blood tubings
very good hydrolytic stability
Polyamides
2. Nylon
Good fiber forming properties due to interchain
hydrogen bondingof intracardiac catheters
Number and distribution of amide bonds
determine properties such as Tg etc
3. Silicone rubber
Alternate atoms of silicon & oxygen in main
chain with organic side groups attached to
silicon propers varied by careful compounding
Catheters where PE, teflon more irratating to
tissues, maxillofacial surgery, nasal supports,
Cosmetic surgeries, aesthetic surgeries

POLYURETHANES
Polyther-urethanes; block copolymers (variable length blocks that
aggregate in phase domains)
Good physical and mechanical characteristics
Are hydrophilic in nature
Good biocompatibility (blood compatibility)
Hydrolytic heart assist devices
Non-cytotoxic therapy

Consists of hard and soft segments

LECTURE 5

BIOMATERIALS

17

POLYAMIDES (Nylons)
Obtained through condensation of diamine and
diacid derivative.
Excellent fiber forming properties due to interchain hydrogen bonding and high degree of
crystallinity, which increases the strength in the
fiber direction.
Hydrogen bonds play a major role
As a catheter
Hypodermic syringes

Diamino hexane
acid

October 5, 2014

BIOMATERIALS

adipic

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Polyethylene structures
The first polyethylene [PE,(-CH2-CH2-)n] was
made by reacting
ethylene gas at high pressure in the presence
of
a peroxide catalyst for starting
polymerization;
yielding
low
density
polyethylene (LDPE).
By using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, high-density
polyethylene (HDPE)
can be produced at low pressure; (first
titanium-based catalysts)
The crystallinity usually is 50-70% for low
density PE and 70-80% or high density PE

ultra high molecular weight polyethylene

(UHMWPE) ??????
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ACRYLIC RESINS (organic glass)

The most widely used polyacrylate is poly(methyl
methacrylate, PMMA) ; The features of acrylic polymers ;
high toughness/strength,
good biocompatibility properties
brittle in comparison with other polymers
excellent light transparency
high index of refraction.
Causes allergic reactions
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BONE CEMENT MIXING AND INJECTION

PMMA powder + MMA liquid
mixed in a ratio of 2:1 in a dough, to
cure

Injected in the femur (thigh bone)

The monomer polymerizes and

binds together the preexisting
polymer particles.

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Hydrogels
Interaction with H2O, but
not soluble

PHEMA; absorbs 60 % of Water,

machinable when dry

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Interesting features

HYDROGELS

(1) The soft, rubbery nature coupled with minimal

mechanical/frictional irritation to the surrounding
tissues.
(2) Low or zero interfacial tension with surrounding
biological fluids and tissues, thereby, minimizing the
driving force for protein adsorption and cell adhesion
(3) Hydrogels allow the permeating and diffusion of
low molecular weight metabolities,waste products
and salts as do living tissues.

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Thank you!