Polymeric Biomaterials - Biomaterials - page 57

3
Polymeric Biomaterials

3.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 3 -1
3.2 Polymerization and Basic Structure .............................................. 3 -1
Polymerization • Basic Structure • Effect of Structural
Modification on Properties
3.3 Polymers Used as Biomaterials ....................................................... 3 -8
Polyvinylchloride • Polyethylene • Polypropylene •
Polymethylmethacrylate • PS and Its Copolymers • Polyesters •
Polyamides (Nylons) • Fluorocarbon Polymers • Rubbers •
Polyurethanes • Polyacetal, Polysulfone, and Polycarbonate •
Biodegradable Polymers
3.4 Sterilization ...................................................................................... 3 -13
3.5 Surface Modifications for Improving Biocompatibility ........... 3 -14
3.6 Chemogradient Surfaces for Cell and Protein Interaction ...... 3 -16
Defining Terms ........................................................................................... 3 -20
Acknowledgments ...................................................................................... 3 -22
References .................................................................................................... 3 -22

Hai Bang Lee
Korea Research
Institute of Chemical
Technology

Gilson Khang
Chonbuk National
University

Jin Ho Lee
Hannam University

3.1 Introduction

Synthetic polymeric materials have been widely used in medical disposable supply, prosthetic mate-
rials, dental materials, implants, dressings, extracorporeal devices, encapsulants, polymeric drug deliv-
ery systems, tissue-engineered products, and orthodoses as that of metal and ceramic substituents (Lee,
1989). The main advantages of the polymeric biomaterials compared to metal or ceramic materials are
ease of manufacturability to produce various shapes (latex, film, sheet, fibers, etc.), ease of secondary
processability, reasonable cost, and availability with desired mechanical and physical properties. The
required properties of polymeric biomaterials are similar to other biomaterials, that is, biocompatibility ,
sterilizability, adequate mechanical and physical properties, and manufacturability as given in Table 3.1.
The objectives of this chapter are: (1) the review of basic chemical and physical properties of the
synthetic polymers, (2) the sterilization of the polymeric biomaterials, (3) the importance of the surface
treatment for improving biocompatibility, and (4) the application of the chemogradient surface for the
study on cell-to-polymer interactions.

3.2 Polymerization and Basic Structure

3.2.1 Polymerization
To link the small molecules, one has to force them to lose their electrons through the chemical processes
of condensation and addition. By controlling the reaction temperature, pressure, and time in the pres-
ence of catalyst(s), the degree to which repeating units are put together into chains can be manipulated.

3 -1