Biomedical Applications of Polymeric Materials and Composites

With its content taken from only the very latest results, this is an extensive summary of the various polymeric materials used for biomedical applications. Following an introduction listing various functional polymers, including conductive, biocompatible and conjugated polymers, the book goes on to discuss different synthetic polymers that can be used, for example, as hydrogels, biochemical sensors, functional surfaces, and natural degradable materials. Throughout, the focus is on applications, with worked examples for training purposes as well as case studies included. The whole is rounded off with a look at future trends.

Table of Contents:
List of Contributors XV Preface XIX 1 Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications 1 Brahatheeswaran Dhandayuthapani and Dasappan Sakthi kumar 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Polymers as Hydrogels in Cell Encapsulation and Soft Tissue Replacement 2 1.3 Biomaterials for Drug Delivery Systems 4 1.4 Biomaterials for Heart Valves and Arteries 7 1.5 Biomaterials for Bone Repair 9 1.6 Conclusion 11 Abbreviations 12 References 13 2 Conducting Polymers: An Introduction 21 Nidhin Joy, Joby Eldho, and Raju Francis 2.1 Introduction 21 2.2 Types of Conducting Polymers 24 2.3 Synthesis of Conducting Polymers 28 2.4 Surface Functionalization of Conducting Polymers 28 Abbreviations 30 References 31 3 Conducting Polymers: Biomedical Applications 37 Nidhin Joy, Geethy P. Gopalan, Joby Eldho, and Raju Francis 3.1 Applications 37 3.2 Conclusions 72 Abbreviations 72 References 73 4 Plasma-Assisted Fabrication and Processing of Biomaterials 91 Kateryna Bazaka, Daniel S. Grant, Surjith Alancherry, and Mohan V. Jacob 4.1 Introduction 91 4.2 Conclusion 113 References 114 5 Smart Electroactive Polymers and Composite Materials 125 T.P.D. Rajan and J. Mary Gladis 5.1 Introduction 125 5.2 Types of Electroactive Polymers 126 5.3 Polymer Gels 126 5.4 Conducting Polymers 129 5.5 Ionic Polymer–Metal Composites (IPMC) 131 5.6 Conjugated Polymer 132 5.7 Piezoelectric and Electrostrictive Polymers 133 5.8 Dielectric Elastomers 135 5.9 Summary 137 References 137 6 Synthetic Polymer Hydrogels 141 Anitha C. Kumar and Harikrishna Erothu 6.1 Introduction 141 6.2 Polymer Hydrogels 141 6.3 Synthetic Polymer Hydrogels 142 6.4 Applications of Synthetic Polymer Hydrogels 155 6.5 Conclusion 156 Abbreviations 156 References 157 7 Hydrophilic Polymers 163 Harikrishna Erothu and Anitha C. Kumar 7.1 Introduction 163 7.2 Classification 163 7.3 Applications of Hydrophilic Polymers 175 7.4 Conclusions 177 Abbreviations 177 References 178 8 Properties of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers 187 Raju Francis, Geethy P. Gopalan, Anjaly Sivadas, and Nidhin Joy 8.1 Introduction 187 8.2 Physically Dependent Stimuli 188 8.3 Chemically Dependent Stimuli 203 8.4 Biologically Dependant Stimuli 207 8.5 Dual Stimuli 209 8.6 MultiStimuli-Responsive Materials 213 8.7 Conclusion 217 Abbreviations 218 References 220 9 Stimuli-Responsive Polymers: Biomedical Applications 233 Raju Francis, Nidhin Joy, Anjaly Sivadas, Geethy P. Gopalan, and Deepa K. Baby 9.1 Introduction 233 9.2 Imaging 235 9.3 Sensing 238 9.4 Delivery ofTherapeutic Molecules 241 9.5 Other Applications 249 9.6 Conclusion 252 Abbreviations 252 References 253 10 Functionally Engineered Sol–Gel Derived Inorganic Gels and Hybrid Nanoarchitectures for Biomedical Applications 261 Vazhayal Linsha, Kallyadan Veettil Mahesh, and Solaiappan Ananthakumar 10.1 Introduction 261 10.2 Some of the Useful Definitions of Various Gel Forms 263 10.3 Inorganic Metal-Oxide Gels and Hybrid Nanoarchitectures 267 10.4 Sol–Gel Synthesis of Inorganic Metal-Oxide Gels 267 10.5 Physically Cross-Linked Inorganic and Hybrid Gel 271 10.6 Sol–Gel Derived Hybrid Metal-Oxides Nanostructures 273 10.7 Biomedical Applications of Sol–Gel Derived Inorganic and Hybrid Nanoarchitectures for Both Therapeutic and Diagnostic (Theranostics) Functions 275 10.8 Sol–Gel Matrices for Controlled Drug Delivery 276 10.9 Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery Systems 282 10.10 Sol–Gel Matrix Targeted CancerTherapy 286 10.11 Sol–Gel Matrices for Imaging and Radiotherapy (Radiolabeling) 288 10.12 Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives 294 Acknowledgment 296 Abbreviations 296 References 297 11 Relevance of Natural Degradable Polymers in the Biomedical Field 303 Raju Francis, Nidhin Joy, and Anjaly Sivadas 11.1 Introduction 303 11.2 Natural Biopolymers and its Application 304 11.3 Conclusion 342 Abbreviations 343 References 344 12 Synthetic Biodegradable Polymers for Medical and Clinical Applications 361 Raju Francis, Nidhin Joy, and Anjaly Sivadas 12.1 Introduction 361 12.2 Polyesters/Poly(α-hydroxy acids) 363 12.3 Poly(glycolide) 364 12.4 Polylactide 364 12.5 Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) Acid 365 12.6 Poly(ε-caprolactone) 366 12.7 Polyurethanes 366 12.8 Polyanhydrides 367 12.9 Polyphosphazenes 367 12.10 Polyhydroxyalkanoates 368 12.11 Polyorthoesters 368 12.12 Poly(propylene fumarate) 369 12.13 Polyacetals 369 12.14 Polycarbonates 369 12.15 Polyphosphoesters 370 12.16 Synthesis and Application of Different Modified Synthetic Biopolymer 371 12.17 Conclusion 376 Abbreviations 377 References 377 Index 383