• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.545-551
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• 2012

We investigated the diffusive transport of bupivacaine HCl through the microchannels of microfluidic drug delivery devices. In the biodegradable microfluidic drug delivery devices developed in this research, the drug release rate can be controlled by simply modulating the geometrical parameters of the microchannels, such as the length, number, and cross-sectional area of the microchannels, when the microchannels are used as paths for drug release. However, the hydrophobic nature of a biodegradable polymer, 85/15 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), hinders the infiltration of a release medium (phosphate-buffered saline) through the microchannels into the reservoir of a device that contains bupivacaine HCl, at the early stage of drug release. This can have an adverse effect on the early stage release of local analgesic compounds from the device. In this study, microfluidic channels were surface-treated with surfactants such as PEG600 and Tween80, and the effects of the surfactants on the release performance are presented and analyzed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.517-535
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• 2014

Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most effective biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). It has been approved by the US FDA to use in drug delivery systems due to controlled and sustained-release properties, low toxicity, and biocompatibility with tissue and cells. In the present review, the structure and properties of PLGA copolymers synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of DL-lactide and glicolide were characterized using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Methods of preparation and characterization, various surface modifications, encapsulation of diverse anticancer drugs, active or passive tumor targeting and different release mechanisms of PLGA nanoparticles are discussed. Increasing experience in the application of PLGA nanoparticles has provided a promising future for use of these nanoparticles in cancer treatment, with high efficacy and few side effects.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.375-379
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• 2005

The morphology and therma]/viscoelastic characteristics were investigated for PLLA/MMT nanocomposite manufactured by incorporating inorganic nanosized silicate nanoplatelets into biodeuadable poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA). The XRD difiactogram and TEM image may be regarded as a formation of homogeneously dispersed nanocomposites. The melting energy(${\Delta}H_m$) was increased during hydrolysis process because of increase of crystallinity. As MMT played a role of reinforcing agent, the storage modulus was increase in case of PLLA/MMT nanocomposite, it was well coincided with our previous results. From SEM image, many tiny pinholes formed by spinodal decomposition were observed on the surface, and the shape of nanocomposite was maintained during hydrolysis process. In this study, it was shown that the control of biodegradation rate, thermal/mechnical property was possibile by incorporating MMT.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.607-612
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• 2017

Recently, additive manufacturing (AM) technology, also known as 3D printing technology, has attracted attention as an innovative production method to fabricate functional components having complex shapes with saving materials. In particular, a fabrication of poly lactic acid (PLA) parts through a fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique has attracted much attention in the medical field. In this paper, an experimental study on the identification of dominant process parameters influencing mechanical properties of PLA parts fabricated by the FDM process is conducted, and their optimal values for maximizing the mechanical properties are obtained. Three process parameters are considered in this research, namely, layer thickness, a part orientation and in-fill. It is known that thin layer thickness, part orientation diagonal to the tension direction, and full in-fill are optimal conditions to maximize the mechanical properties.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2015

The high-pressure phase behavior of a polycaprolactone (Mw=56,145 g/mol, polydispersity 1.2), dichloromethane, and carbon dioxide ternary system was measured using a variable-volume view cell. The experimental temperatures and pressures ranged from 313.15 K to 353.15 K and up to 300 bar as functions of the $CO_2$/dichloromethane mass ratio and temperature, at poly(D-lactic acid) weight fractions of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0%. The correlation results were obtained from the hybrid equation of state (Peng-Robinson equation of state + SAFT equation of state) for the $CO_2$-polymer system using the van der Waals one-fluid mixing rule. The three binary interaction parameters were optimized by the simplex method algorithm.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.96-103
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• 2016

In this work, pellets consisting of cellulose-based natural fiber bamboo and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was prepared by extrusion process and then bamboo fiber/PLA biocomposites with various fiber contents were produced by injection molding process. The water treatment effect of bamboo fibers on the flexural, tensile, and impact properties and heat deflection temperature of the biocomposites were investigated. The thermal stability of bamboo and the flexural properties, tensile modulus, and impact strength depended on the presence and absence of water treatment as well as on the fiber content, whereas the heat deflection temperature are influenced mainly by water treatment. The increase of the mechanical and impact properties of biocomposites is ascribed to the improvement of the interfacial adhesion between the bamboo fibers and the PLA matrix by the water treatment. The result suggests that the pre-treatment of natural fibers by using water, which is environment-friendly and labor-friendly, may contribute to enhancing the performance of biocomposites.

• Journal of the Korean Recycled Construction Resources Institute
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2016

This research compared the tensile performance of the vegetation mat, which was developed byu using the rapidly growing biodegradable plastic, Poly Lactic Acid(PLA), according to the biodegradation period. The test applied the method defined by Korean Standard KS. In the result of experiment using single-material PLA mesh and PLA plastic, the tensile strength and molecular weight were inverse-proportional to the 5 months of biodegradation period. The thickness of PLA mesh was increased by 11.2~13.4% while the tensile strenth of it was reduced by 32.4~55.4%. The tensile strength and molecular weight of PLA plastic were also reduced over time. However, the tension test of vegetation mat comprised of PLA mesh, non-woven fabric (including seeds), and jute net didn't have specific tendency.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.588-595
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to increase compatibility of immiscible PLA/PCL blend by using electron beam irradiation in the presence of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The blends of PLA/PCL containing GMA were irradiated at doses of 10, 50 and 100 kGy and then the irradiated samples were characterized by observing morphology and rheological properties. Blends irradiated with 50 and 100 kGy showed greatly improved interfacial adhesion between two phases in the morphology. Complex viscosity of PLA/PCL(9/1) blend irradiated at dose of 100 kGy was about 100 times higher than that of pure PLA. We found that the compatibility of immiscible PLA/PCL could be improved by electron beam irradiation in the presence of GMA from the investigation of morphology and rheology.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.620-624
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• 2009

Biomedical metal implants have been used clinically for replacement, restoration, or improvement of injury bodies based on high mechanical properties, but it has some risks such as the inflammatory, late thrombosis, or restenosis due to the low biocompatibility and toxicity. In various techniques of surface treatment developed to preserve these drawbacks, this study examined the electrospray coating technology with biodegradable poly (lactic-co-glycoic acid) (PLGA) on metal surface. Based on fundamental examination of electrospraying and solution parameters, the surface morphology of coated film was closely related to the boiling point of solvent, in-flight distance, and droplet size. The thickness of polymer film was linearly proportional to the emerged volume. This result exhibits that the polymeric droplets were continuously deposited on the polymer film. Therefore, the electrospray coating technology might be applied into the fabrication of single/multi-layered polymer film in nano-/micro-thickness and the control of the topology for biomedical metal implants including stents.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2018

Background: This study is performed to evaluate anchor-related outcomes and complications after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using 30% ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-TCP) with 70% poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) biocomposite suture anchors. Methods: A total of 78 patients (mean age, $61.3{\pm}6.9years$) who underwent arthroscopic medium-to-large full-thickness rotator cuff tear repair were enrolled. The technique employed 30% ${\beta}$-TCP with 70% PLGA biocomposite suture anchors at the medial row (38 patients, Healix $BR^{TM}$ anchor [Healix group]; 40 patients, Fixone anchor B [Fixone group]). The radiologic outcomes (including perianchor cyst formation or bone substitution) and anatomical outcomes of the healing failure rate were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at least 6 months after surgery, the pain visual analogue scale at 3, 6 months, and final follow-up visit, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores at least 1 year postoperatively. Anchor-related complications were also evaluated. Results: The perianchor cyst formation incidence was similar for both groups (60.5%, Healix group; 60.0%, Fixone group; p=0.967), although severe perianchor cyst incidence was slightly lower in the Fixone group (15.0%) than in the Healix group (21.1%). There was no occurrence of anchor absorption and bone substitution. No differences were observed in the healing failure rate (13.2%, Healix group; 15.0%, Fixone group; p=0.815) and functional outcome between groups (all p>0.05). Anchor breakage occurred in 5 patients (2 Healix anchors and 3 Fixone anchors); however, there were no major anchor-related complications in either group. Conclusions: No differences were observed in the clinical outcomes of the Healix and Fixone groups, neither were there any accompanying major anchor-related complications.