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Full-Text Articles in Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
Design And Fabrication Of A Multifunctional Nano-On-Micro Delivery System, Alexandra D. Bannerman
Design And Fabrication Of A Multifunctional Nano-On-Micro Delivery System, Alexandra D. Bannerman
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The treatment of tumours using microbeads for embolization and drug delivery is a widely used, but often ineffective, technique. In this work, we aim to produce microbeads for this application with four main improvements: visibility, target-ability, degradability, and an alternative route for drug loading. We accomplish this through the fabrication of ~100μm diameter microbeads composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), iron oxide nanoparticles, and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) using a custom-designed microchannel system. Characterization demonstrated that microbeads were magnetic, as well as visible under clinical CT. Separately, the dissolution of PVA iron oxide hydrogels exposed to different environmental conditions was studied. Iron …
Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Nanocomposite Hydrogels For Intervertebral Disc Prostheses, Elaine Wong
Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Nanocomposite Hydrogels For Intervertebral Disc Prostheses, Elaine Wong
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Spinal fusion is currently the gold standard for surgical intervention of intervertebral disc (IVD) diseases leading to neck and back pain failing conservative treatments. However, fusion removes motion between the vertebrae and can result in adjacent level degeneration. Total disc replacement (TDR) is an emerging treatment alternative that preserves motion, but materials found in clinically available devices bear little resemblance to the properties of the native IVD. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels are biocompatible, have mechanical behaviour similar to natural tissues, and properties that can be tuned by varying polymer concentration and physical crosslinking through freeze-thaw cycling. Furthermore, their properties can …