Advanced Biomaterials

Biomaterials for Microfluidics

Overview

Major focus
Classification of biomaterials engineered from microfluidics
List of Common Biomaterials
Conclusion

Introduction

Microfluidics is characterized by laminar flow at micro-scale dimension, high surface to volume ratio, and markedly improved heat/mass transfer. In addition, together with advantages of large-scale integration and flexible manipulation, microfluidic technology has been rapidly developed as one of the most important platforms in the field of functional biomaterial synthesis. Compared to biomaterials assisted by conventional strategies, functional biomaterials synthesized by microfluidics are with superior properties and performances, due to their controllable morphology and composition, which have shown great advantages and potential in the field of biomedicine, biosensing, and tissue engineering. Take the significance of microfluidic engineered biomaterials into consideration; this review highlights the microfluidic synthesis technologies and biomedical applications of materials. We divide microfluidic based biomaterials into four kinds. According to the material dimensionality, it includes: 0D (particulate materials), 1D (fibrous materials), 2D (sheet materials), and 3D (construct forms of materials). In particular, micro/nano-particles and micro/nano-fibers are introduced respectively. This classification standard could include all of the microfluidic biomaterials, and we envision introducing a comprehensive and overall evaluation and presentation of microfluidic based biomaterials and their applications.

Nature biopolymers:

What I am giving out today is probably the most valuable guide, I have ever created.

Collagen, gelatin, hyaluronan, chitin, alginate, cellulose

Synthetic polymers:

PMMA, PE, PP, PTFE, PVC, PDMS, PET, PU, PLGA

List of Common Biomaterials

Here is the list:

PDMS
PMMA
Polyethylene (PE)
Polypeptides
Polyurethane (PU)
Polysaccharides
Polypropylene (PP)
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) (PTFE)
Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
Cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COP)

1. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)

Polysiloxanes (Silicone)

Low Tg makes properties less temperature sensitive

Relatively poor mechanical strength

Mechanical properties improved by formulating with silica or
modifying polysiloxane backbone with aromatic rings

Excellent flexibility and stability

Used in prostheses such as finger joints, heart valves, and ear/nose
reconstruction

2. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was used in dentistry

Plexiglas, Acrylic

Hydrophobic linear chain polymer

Major ingredient in bone cement for orthopedic implants

Used for intra-ocular and hard contact lenses due to its excellent

light transmittance

3. Polyethylene (PE)

Polyethylene and stainless steel were used for hip implants

Thermoplastics: Linear or branched polymers; can be melted and
remelted with heat; recyclable; e.g., polyethylene

Used in high-density form as tubing for drains and catheters

Ultra-high molecular weight form used as an acetabular component in
artificial hips and other prosthetic joints

Has good toughness and wear resistance

Resistant to lipid absorption

4. Polypropylene (PP)

High rigidity

Good chemical resistance

Good tensile strength

Excellent stress cracking resistance

Used for sutures and hernia repair

5. Polyurethane (PU)

Thermosets: Cross-linked or networked; rigid; cannot be remelted;
degrades upon heating; not recyclable; e.g., polyurethane

Tough

Good fatigue & blood-containing properties

Stable to hydrolysis

Block copolymer

Used in pacemaker lead insulation, vascular grafts, heart assist balloon pumps

6. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

Dacron

High melting crystalline polymer

Very high tensile strength

Used in large diameter knit, velour or woven arterial grafts

PET fabrics used for implant fixation

7. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Teflon

Very hydrophobic

Good lubricity

Low wear resistance

Used for catheters and vascular grafts

8. Polyvinylchloride (PVC)

Made flexible and soft by the addition of plasticizers

Not suitable for long-term use because plasticizers can be extracted

by the body

Used as tubing for blood transfusions, feeding and dialysis, and

blood storage bags

8. Cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COP)