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.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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