Chronically implantable neural devices (>1 year) remain elusive despite significant advances in biomedical engineering and materials science. Loss of signal fidelity, a significant challenge to the field, is caused by a scaring response around device due to a modulus mismatch between the tissue and the device. This modulus mismatch can be mitigated through the use of clever polymer chemistry to develop substrates which possess excellent geometric and thermal properties (necessary for device fabrication) and soften in vivo to possess moduli at or near that of body tissue. Thiol-ene �click� polymers offer an excellent array of properties for these applications, however, these polymers often suffer from low glass transition temperatures, necessitating highly cross-linked systems and leading to high rubbery modulus. To circumvent these issues, the development of monomers which are rigid and will allow for a decrease in crosslink density (and thus rubbery modulus) while maintaining a high glass transition (necessary for device insertion). In this paper we discuss the design and synthesis of new class of thiol-ene polymers based around rigid aliphatic thiols and their application in biomedical devices.Figure 1. Comparison of the mechanical properties of a rigid dithiol (TCDDT) to a 'floppy' trithiol (TMICN) with a commone tri-ene (TATATO).

Thiolene polymers for biomedical devices

248th National Meeting (2014)

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