Polymer organosilicate nanocomposites have attracted significant attention over the last decade due to improved mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. Several nanocomposite researchers have recognised potential for biomedical applications, however none have conducted biological investigations. In this project, the predicted ability of the organosilicate to enhance biostability, modulate the release of included drugs, and confer biofunctionality and control over the host response, were assessed as the three primary hypotheses. The studies were conducted with the objective being employment as urinary device biomaterials. Of prime importance was that no detrimental change in cytocompatibility was resultant. Biomedical thermoplastic elastomeric polyurethane organosilicate nanocomposites were prepared from poly(ether)urethane of 1000g/mol poly(tetramethylene oxide) polyol, 4,4??? diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and 1,4 butanediol chain extender chemistry, and various organosilicates with loadings from 1w% to 15w%, using a solution casting technique. Initially, partially exfoliated nanocomposites were produced using a commercially available organosilicate, Cloisite?? 30B. These nanocomposites displayed several advantageous properties, namely i) significant anti-bacterial activity, reducing S. epidermidis adherence after 24h to ~20% for a 15w% organosilicate loading, ii) enhanced biostability, with a 15w% organosilicate loading displaying only slight degradation after a 6 week subcutaneous in vivo ovine implantation, and iii) static modulation of model drug release as a factor of drug properties and organosilicate loading. The former was attributed to the Cloisite?? 30B quaternary ammonium compound, while the latter two were likely primarily barrier effect related and due to changes to poly(ether)urethane permeability. Electrostatic and chemical interactivity between drug and organosilicate was also implicated in the observed drug release modulation. Unfortunately, a lack of in vitro cytocompatibility and poor in vivo inflammatory response will limit in vivo use. Utilising bioinert 1-aminoundecanoic acid as an alternative organic modification, cytocompatible intercalated nanocomposites were produced thus likely allowing in vivo nanocomposite use and exploitation of the barrier effect related properties. However, these nanocomposites were not antibacterial. Variation of the organic modification and/or use of co-modification were viable means of modulating host response and biofunctionality, however nanoscale dispersion of co-modified silicate was poor. Use of nanocomposite technology was concluded beneficial to existing biomaterials, and specifically to biomaterial application as urinary catheters / stents.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/235127 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Styan, Katie, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW |
| Publisher | Awarded by:University of New South Wales. Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | Copyright Katie Styan, http://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/copyright |
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