Abstract

To use implantable biomedical devices such as electrocardiograms and neurostimulators in the human body, it is necessary to package them with biocompatible materials that protect the internal electronic circuits from the body’s internal electrolytes and moisture without causing foreign body reactions. Herein, we describe a hydrogel surface-modified polyurethane copolymer film with concurrent water permeation resistance and biocompatibility properties for application to an implantable biomedical device. To achieve this, hydrophobic polyurethane copolymers comprising hydrogenated poly(ethylene-co-butylene) (HPEB) and aliphatic poly(carbonate) (PC) were synthesized and their hydrophobicity degree and mechanical properties were adjusted by controlling the copolymer composition ratio. When 10 wt% PC was introduced, the polyurethane copolymer exhibited hydrophobicity and water permeation resistance similar to those of HPEB; however, with improved mechanical properties. Subsequently, a hydrophilic poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) hydrogel layer was formed on the surface of the polyurethane copolymer film by Fenton reaction using an initiator and crosslinking agent and the effect of the initiator and crosslinking agent immobilization time, PVP concentration and crosslinking agent concentration on the hydrogel properties were investigated. Finally, MTT assay showed that the hydrogel surface-modified polyurethane copolymer film displays excellent biocompatibility.

Highlights

  • Interest in biomedical devices incorporating state-of-the-art engineering technology and life-science technology is gradually increasing with the trend of ultra-aging and living standards improvement in modern society [1,2]

  • The oxygen intensity in the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectrum increased significantly due to the increase in the ether and carbonyl functional oxygens of the crosslinking agent (EGDMA) used to form the hydrogel. These results showed that the poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) hydrogel layer crosslinked with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) was successfully formed on the surface of the hydrophobic HPEB90C10 copolymer, resulting in a hydrogel9 of surface-modified polyurethane copolymer film

  • These results showed that the PVP hydrogel layer crosslinked with EGDMA was successfully formed on the surface of the hydrophobic HPEB90C10 copolymer, resulting in a hydrogel surface-modified polyurethane copolymer film

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Summary

Introduction

Interest in biomedical devices incorporating state-of-the-art engineering technology and life-science technology is gradually increasing with the trend of ultra-aging and living standards improvement in modern society [1,2]. Implantable biomedical devices such as neurostimulators, electrocardiograms and blood glucose sensors that are inserted into the human body have attracted significant attention for more comfortable and precise human healthcare [3,4] Such devices are already positioned as key biomedical devices to extend life and achieve the better quality of life that modern society demands. To insert such a biomedical implant device into the human body, the device must operate stably even in the moisture and electrolytes present in the human body and must not trigger any foreign body reactions in the body [5,6,7].

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