Novel Nanocomposite Coatings for Bioresorbable Medical Implants

与永久性植入物相比，生物可吸收植入物在心血管支架和骨科等应用中具有显著的优势。一旦它们完成了临时的结构支撑作用，它们就会在体内自然降解，并提供恢复正常组织功能的潜力。然而，一些常用的生物可吸收植入物的降解速度太快，需要新的技术来控制这一速度，从而使组织在生物吸收之前愈合。本课题的目的和目标是：1)开发一种由生物相容性聚合物和纳米级石墨烯材料组成的新型纳米复合涂层，以控制生物可吸收植入物的降解特征；2)探索复合涂层的多种功能，包括药物输送和按需光热治疗，以帮助提高治疗效果。方法：将不同聚合物/纳米石墨烯比例的涂层通过自旋涂层或浸渍涂层的方法涂覆在植入材料上。研究了纳米石墨烯浓度和涂层厚度对复合涂层性能和功能的影响。更具体地说，扫描电子显微镜将用于分析涂层的微观结构。采用差示扫描量热法和热重法分析涂层材料的热性能。紫外可见分光光度计将用于测定涂层药物的装载/释放曲线。红外摄像机将用于测量涂层光热转换效率。植入物的降解可以通过结合微型计算机断层扫描的重量测量来确定。在使用生物可吸收金属植入物的情况下，电阻抗谱将用于确定涂层的缓蚀性能。最后，通过细胞试验研究涂层的生物相容性。该项目与EPSRC医疗技术主题战略及其相关的重大挑战，即“物理干预的前沿”、“优化治疗”和“改变社区卫生和护理”密切相关。该项目的成功将为设计和制造新型、低成本、多功能的下一代生物医学设备提供关键知识和技术，提高治疗效率，增强患者的健康结果。

Bioresorbable implants offer significant advantages over permanent implants in applications such as cardiovascular stents and orthopaedics. They are designed to naturally degrade in the body once they have served their temporary structural support role, and offer the potential for restoration of normal tissue function. However, the degradation rate of some commonly used bioresorbable implants is too fast and new technologies are required to control this rate and therefore allow tissue healing prior to bioresorption.Aim and objectives of this project:1)To develop a novel nanocomposite coating consisting of a biocompatible polymer and nanosized graphene materials to control the degradation profile of the bioresorbable implants2)To explore the multi-functionality of the composite coating, including drug delivery and on-demand photothermal therapy, which can help to enhance the treatment efficacy. Methodology: Coating consisting of different polymer/nanographene ratio will be applied to the implant material via spin coating or dip coating method. The effects of nanographene concentration and the coating thickness on the resulting composite coating properties and functionality will be investigated. More specifically, scannining electron microscopy will be used to analyse the coating microstructure. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis will be carried out to investigate the coating material thermal properties. UV-Vis spectrometer will be used to determine the coating drug loading/release profile. Infrared camera will be used to measure the coating photothermal conversion efficiency. The degradation of the implant can be determined by weight measurements in combination with micro computed tomography. In the case where bioresorbable metal implants are used, electro-impedance spectroscopy will be used to determine the coating corrosion inhibition properties. Finally, the biocompatibility of the coating will be studied using cell tests. This project is closely in line with the EPSRC healthcare technologies theme strategy and its associated grand challenges , namely " Frontiers of Physical Intervention", "Optimising Treatment" and "Transforming Community Health and Care". The success of the project will provide key knowledge and technology for the design and fabrication of novel, low-cost, multi-functional next generation biomedical devices with improved treatment efficiency and enhanced patient health outcome.