Biomolecules such as oligopeptides and oligosaccharides often lack both thermal stability and mechanical strength for use in medical device production. On the other hand, synthetic polymers such as polyethylene, polycaprolactone, polylactide, lack bioactivity required in medical devices designed for tissue repair such as in bone grafts and dermal templates. Also, some of these polymers are known to illicit foreign body responses in human body. For example, UHMWPE used in current joint prostheses have been reported to cause foreign body reaction in patients and in severe cases where inflammation could not be reduced, implant removal is necessary. Hence, improvement in biocompatibility as well as introduction of bioactivity to synthetic polymers intended for use in medical implants, would be useful in creating more functional implant materials. We present here our strategies in polymer synthesis to create bioactive brush polymers for use in both wound closure and orthopedic devices. ROMP is used to create brush copolymers containing both biomolecules of desired cell-binding properties and synthetic polymers for targeted applications. Upon synthesis and characterisation, the bioactive polymers are used as bioadditives for selected base polymers based on application. The polymer formulation is then 3D Printed or electrospun for the intended application. Osteoblast activity, fibroblast proliferation assays for both skin and cartilage as well as murine model studies using our materials would be discussed in this presentation.

Bioactive synthetic polymers for medical device applications

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ACS Fall 2022

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