• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1995

Biodegradable poly (I ,4-butanediol succinate) (PBS) was synthesized from 1,4-butanediol and succinic anhydride. The glass transition temperature of poly (I, 4-butanediol succinate) was revealed at $73^{\circ}C$. The crystallization and cold crystallization of the polymers were investigated as a function of holding time in melt state, cooling rate. reheating, and molecular weight. Chain scission and/or cmsslinking did not occur in the melt state at var.ious holding times. Slower scanning rate can allow more times for nucleation, rearrangement, and packing of the polymer chain, so the onset temperature of crystallization from the melt was increased. PBS crystallized from the melt was found to have spherulitic structure. The degradation behavior of PBS was studied under basic conditions and with microorganisms using the modified ASTM method. In the basic solution. PBS lost up to 85% of its mass within two days. Based upon visual observation, the crystalline structure of films composed of larger molecular weight polymers retained their crystallinity longer than similar structures in low molecular weight samples.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.103-120
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• 2010

Surface modification of microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes has been widely used to improve the protein adsorption resistance and permeation properties of hydrophobic membranes. Several surface modification methods for converting conventional membranes into low-protein-binding membranes are reviewed. They are categorized as either physical modification or chemical modification of the membrane surface. Physical modification of the membrane surface can be achieved by coating it with hydrophilic polymers, hydrophilic-hydrophobic copolymers, surfactants or proteins. Another method of physical modification is plasma treatment with gases. A hydrophilic membrane surface can be also generated during phase-inverted micro-separation during membrane formation, by blending hydrophilic or hydrophilic-hydrophobic polymers with a hydrophobic base membrane polymer. The most widely used method of chemical modification is surface grafting of a hydrophilic polymer by UV polymerization because it is the easiest method; the membranes are dipped into monomers with and without photo-initiators, then irradiated with UV. Plasma-induced polymerization of hydrophilic monomers on the surface is another popular method, and surface chemical reactions have also been developed by several researchers. Several important examples of physical and chemical modifications of membrane surfaces for low-protein-binding are summarized in this article.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.345-349
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• 2003

The quantity, process and kinetics of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) migration in the 30/70 and 40/60 poly(vinylchloride) (PVC)/DEHP blends were investigated using gas chromatograph. A thin and flexible PVC sheet was soaked in surrounding medium (SM) of water/ethanol mixture and acetonitrile with constant stirring to release DEHP. By observed concentration of DEHP in the SM, it is found that acetonitrile is more intense in DEHP migration than water/ethanol mixture. In addition the amount of extracted DEHP is proportional to the leaching temperature and added ratio of DEHP. The behavior of DEHP migration from flexible PVC sheets was described by the Ficks's law with $2.72-10.1\;{times}\;10^{-10}$ cm²/s of the diffusion coefficients.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.297-303
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• 2019

Background: Absorbable plates are widely used in open reduction and internal fixation surgeries for facial bone fractures. Absorbable plates are made of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), polydioxane (PDS), or various combinations of these polymers. The degradation patterns of absorbable plates made from different polymers and clinical courses of patients treated with such plates have not been fully identified. This study aimed to confirm the clinical courses of facial bone fracture patients using absorbable plates and compare the degradation patterns of the plates. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 47 cases in 46 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation surgery using absorbable plates to repair facial bone fractures. All surgeries used either PLA/PGA composite-based or poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite-based absorbable plates and screws. Clinical courses were confirmed and comparisons were conducted based on direct observation. Results: There were no naturally occurring foreign body reactions. Post-traumatic inflammatory responses occurred in eight patients (nine cases), in which six recovered naturally with conservative treatment. The absorbable plates were removed from two patients. PLA/PGA compositebased absorbable plates degraded into fragments with non-uniform, sharp surfaces whereas PLLA/HA composite-based absorbable plates degraded into a soft powder. Conclusion: PLA/PGA composite-based and PLLA/HA composite-based absorbable plates showed no naturally occurring foreign body reactions and showed different degradation patterns. The absorbable plate used for facial bone fracture surgery needs to be selected in consideration of its degradation patterns.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.516-521
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• 2009

Techflex$^{(R)}$, a polypropylene-lined, multilayer infusion bag, was studied for its compatibility with diazepam, in comparison to the conventional infusion bag, Safeflex$^{(R)}$, which is comprised of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). Diazepam was diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride isotonic solution and stored in the infusion bags for 24 h. To evaluate the sorption of diazepam into the infusion bags during storage, the concentration of the drug remaining in the bag was measured using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The PVC bags exhibited a marked sorption of diazepam, with a drug loss reaching up to 90% of the initial concentration after 24 h of contact, whereas Techflex$^{(R)}$ inhibited the drug sorption, showing approximately 10%, under the same conditions. The differences in the sorption behaviors of the bags are discussed in terms of solubility parameters and crystallinities of the polymers.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.447-450
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• 1997

A new technique for the preparation of porous vascular prostheses was investigated. Polyurethane solution (10 to 14wt%) was injected into a mold. After freezing at low temperature $(0^{\circ}C\sim-40^{\circ}C)$, solvent was dissolved out with water at $0^{\circ}C$ to form porous tubes. The average pore size $(<10{\mu}m)$and pore occupation (10% to 51%) were easily changed by changing polyurethane concentration, freezing temperature, and freezing methods. This technique can give a proper pore size $(30\sim60{\mu}m)$ for tissue ingrowth, and suitable compliances for matching with arteries and veins. This method might give a desired compliant graft for artificial implantation with the presently valid medical polymers.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2003

A vertebral cage is a hollow medical device which is used in spine forgery. By implanting the cage into the spine column, it is possible to restore disc and relieve pressure on the nerve roots. Most cages have been made of titanium alloys but they detract the biocompatibility. Currently PEEK (polyether ether ketone) if applied to various implants because it has good properties like heat resistance, chemical resistance, strength, and especially biocompatibility. A new shape of vertebral cage is designed and injection molding of PEEK is considered for production. Before injection molding of the cage, it is needed to evaluate process conditions and properties of the final product. Variables affecting the shrinkage of the cage are considered, e.g., injection time, packing pressure, mold temperature, and melt temperature. By using the numerical simula-tion program, MOLDFLOW, several cases are studied. Data files obtained by MOLDFLOW analysis are used for stress anal-ysis with ABAQUS, and shrinkage and residual stress fields are predicted. With these results, optimum process conditions are determined.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2021

Collagen and chitosan are used in medical and cosmetic materials as natural polymers. In order to utilize the advantages of the materials, collagen/chitosan conjugated wet-spun fibers were prepared. The analysis of surface, optical, thermal and mechanical properties was carried out on the various composition of collagen and chitosan. As a result of images analysis, it was verified that the collagen/chitosan conjugated fibers were stably spun. In addition, the optical and thermal properties of fibers were observed to be changed by hydrogen bond. As a result, an optimized composition could be found at an appropriate content. Moreover, the optimized fibers have mechanical properties similar to chitosan fibers, while improving the structural and thermal stability by its hydrogen bond. In addition, the wet-spun collagen/chitosan conjugated fibers can be applied to medical and various fields through mechanical properties according to content control.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.478-481
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• 1997

A technique or the preparation of porous polyurethane vascular prostheses was investigated. Small-diameter vessels are not in general clinical use due to their limited long-term biocompatibility and low patency rates in experimental trial. These limits are mainly due to the failure of mechanical unction of the vascular grafts. This failure has been suggested to result partially from compliance mismatch. The long-term patency is considered to depend critically on the properties of the material and the fabrication process of the graft. So the control of pores is very important and main points to develop a available vascular grafts. Two-kind polymer sheets was compared. One was the porous PU-sheet made at room temperature by the solvent/non-solvent exchange. And the other was the porous PU-sheet which was fabricated by thermal phase transition and solvent-/non-solvent exchange using the thermal controller. The polymer sheets had a uniform pore size and pore occupation. According to the result of the above experiments, polyurethane solution was injected into a mold designed or U-type tube. The average pore size and pore occupation were easily changed by changing polyurethane concentration, freezing temperature, and methods. This technique can give a proper pore size ($10{\sim}45\;{\mu}m$) or tissue in growth, and suitable compliances or matching with arteries and veins. Besides, the fabrication of more complicated shaped vessels such as the U-type vascular grafts is easily controlled by using the fixed mold. this method might give a desired compliant graft or artificial implantation with the presently valid medical polymers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2014

Background: Hydrogels are a class of polymers that can absorb water or biological fluids and swell to several times their dry volume, dependent on changes in the external environment. In recent years, hydrogels and hydrogel nanocomposites have found a variety of biomedical applications, including drug delivery and cancer treatment. The incorporation of nanoparticulates into a hydrogel matrix can result in unique material characteristics such as enhanced mechanical properties, swelling response, and capability of remote controlled actuation. Materials and Methods: In this work, synthesis of hydrogel nanocomposites containing magnetic nanoparticles are studied. At first, magnetic nanoparticles ($Fe_3O_4$) with an average size 10 nm were prepared. At second approach, thermo and pH-sensitive poly (N-isopropylacrylamide -co-methacrylic acid-co-vinyl pyrrolidone) (NIPAAm-MAA-VP) were prepared. Swelling behavior of co-polymer was studied in buffer solutions with different pH values (pH=5.8, pH=7.4) at $37^{\circ}C$. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles ($Fe_3O_4$) and doxorubicin were incorporated into copolymer and drug loading was studied. The release of drug, carried out at different pH and temperatures. Finally, chemical composition, magnetic properties and morphology of doxorubicin-loaded magnetic hydrogel nanocomposites were analyzed by FT- IR, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The results indicated that drug loading efficiency was increased by increasing the drug ratio to polymer. Doxorubicin was released more at $40^{\circ}C$ and in acidic pH compared to that $37^{\circ}C$ and basic pH. Conclusions: This study suggested that the poly (NIPAAm-MAA-VP) magnetic hydrogel nanocomposite could be an effective carrier for targeting drug delivery systems of anti-cancer drugs due to its temperature sensitive properties.