Durability and Reliability of Medical Polymers

Mike Jenkins is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham, UK. Dr. Jenkins has researched and published widely in the field of polymer science and has edited three books on the use of polymers in sport and biomaterials. Dr. Artemis Stamboulis is a Professor of Biomaterials, at the School of Metallurgy and Materials, the University of Birmingham, UK. She obtained her PhD, from the National Technical University of Athens and TU Berlin, Germany in Polymer Engineering. Following her PhD, she was awarded a prestigious Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship to work on natural fibre polymer composites in the Department of Materials, Imperial College London followed by two more fellowships at the same University acquiring additional knowledge and expertise in bioactive glasses, biomedical glasses and glass ionomer cements. This opened opportunities for Dr Stamboulis to grow in the field of Biomaterials and continue developing biomedical glasses and glass ceramics as well as working with hydroxyapatite and antimicrobial hydroxyapatite. A prestigious Birmingham Fellowship allowed Dr Stamboulis to start her research group at the University of Birmingham where she is now Professor of Biomaterials currently developing antimicrobial biomaterials based on antimicrobial peptides and nanocoatings for polymer, ceramic and metallic implants.

• Contributor contact detailsWoodhead Publishing Series in BiomaterialsPart I: Types and properties of bioresorbable medicalpolymersChapter 1: Types of bioresorbable polymers for medical applicationsAbstract:1.1 Introduction1.2 Aliphatic polyesters1.3 Polyanhydrides1.4 Poly(ortho esters)1.5 Polyphosphazenes1.6 Poly(amino acids) and ‘pseudo’ poly(amino acids)1.7 Polyalkylcyanoacrylates1.8 Poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF), poloxamers, poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)Chapter 2: The effect of molecular structure on the properties of biomedical polymersAbstract:2.1 Introduction: the molecular structure of polymers2.2 Molecular weight and polymer properties2.3 Macromolecular conformation, crystallisation and polymer properties2.4 The effect of the amorphous state and glass transition temperature on polymer properties2.5 Biphasic systems: linear crystalline polymers and their propertiesChapter 3: Processing of bioresorbable and other polymers for medical applicationsAbstract:3.1 Introduction3.2 Extrusion3.3 Mixing processes3.4 Molding processes3.5 Secondary shaping3.6 Calendering3.7 Coating3.8 Foaming3.9 Solvent casting3.10 Challenges in biopolymer processing3.11 ConclusionsChapter 4: Understanding transport phenomena and degradation of bioresorbable medical polymersAbstract:4.1 Introduction to transport phenomena in irreversible processes4.2 Introduction to mathematical modelling4.3 Conclusions and future trendsChapter 5: Synthetic bioresorbable polymersAbstract:5.1 Introduction5.2 Bioresorbable polymers5.3 Degradation of aliphatic polyesters5.4 Factors affecting aliphatic polymer degradation5.5 Processing and devices5.6 ConclusionsChapter 6: Using synthetic bioresorbable polymers for orthopedic tissue regenerationAbstract:6.1 Introduction6.2 Poly (α-hydroxy acids)6.3 Polylactones6.4 Polyanhydrides6.5 Fumarate-based polymers6.6 Hydrogels6.7 Future trends6.8 ConclusionsPart II: Aspects of durability and reliability of non-bioresorbable medical polymersChapter 7: Wear processes in polymer implantsAbstract:7.1 Introduction7.2 Implants7.3 Wear processes and theory for polymer implants7.4 Polymers7.5 Wear debris in the body7.6 Future trends7.7 Sources of further information and adviceChapter 8: Ageing processes of biomedical polymers in the bodyAbstract:8.1 Introduction8.2 Principles of chemical and biochemical degradation and calcification8.3 Effect of natural ageing of medical polymers8.4 Principles of accelerated ageing8.5 Conclusions and summary8.6 Sources of further information and advice8.7 AcknowledgementsChapter 9: The failure of synthetic polymeric medical devicesAbstract:9.1 Introduction9.2 Forensic methods9.3 Catheter failure9.4 Balloon catheters and angioplasty9.5 Breast implants9.6 Intraocular lenses9.7 Failure of Foley catheters9.8 Sutures9.9 Conclusions9.10 AcknowledgementsChapter 10: Manufacturing defects in polymeric medical devicesAbstract:10.1 Introduction10.2 Polymer moulding10.3 Catheter systems10.4 Security cap for gas cylinders10.5 Breathing tube failures10.6 A failed crutch10.7 Cracked medical tubing10.8 Conclusions10.9 AcknowledgementsIndex