Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier
698
Date
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Major
Biomedical Engineering
Committee Chair
Warren Haggard
Committee Member
Joel Bumgardner
Committee Member
Harry Courtney
Abstract
Biodegradable polymers have a potential for use in medical applications due to their tailorable mechanical properties and their biocompatibility.Polymers have been used in applications ranging from sutures to dialysis filters and even for intraocular lenses.The purpose of this research was to evaluate the potential use of the following biodegradable polymers: chitosan, poly l-lactic acid, and polyurethane, for potential use as a local antibiotic carrier through their use as coatings for orthopaedic fixation screws.Testing of the coatings included mechanical testing of the adhesion strength as well as biological testing using zone of inhibition, activity, and elution testing.The results of this study demonstrated that polyurethane maintained on average the most amount of coating after insertion (98.2%) while all coatings produced a similar zone of inhibition.The elution from the chitosan coating at the 1 hour time point was the only elution that inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus.
Library Comment
Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.
Recommended Citation
Hartsell, Zane McKinley, "Efficacy of Three Biodegradable Polymer Coatings Loaded with Tobramycin for Bone Screws" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 577.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/577
Comments
Data is provided by the student.