[Modern polyurethanes in cardiovascular surgery]. / Sovremennye poliuretany v serdechno-sosudistoi khirurgii.

Currently, there is great clinical demand for synthetic tissue-engineered cardiovascular prostheses with good long-term patency. Polyurethanes belong to the class of polymers with excellent bio- and hemocompatibility. They are known to possess good mechanical properties, but are prone to processes of degradation in conditions of functioning in living organisms. Attempts at solving this problem have resulted in the development of various new subclasses of polyurethanes such as thermoplastic polyether polyurethanes, polyurethanes with a silicone segment, polycarbonate polyurethanes and nanocomposite polyurethanes. This was accompanied and followed by offering a series of new technologies of production of implantable medical devices such as vascular grafts, heart valves and others. In the presented review, we discuss biological and mechanical properties of modern subclasses of polyurethanes, as well as modern methods of manufacturing implantable medical devices made of polyurethanes, especially small-diameter vascular prostheses.

Class II Resin Composites: Restorative Options.

Tooth-coloured, resin composite restorations are amongst the most frequently prescribed forms of dental restoration to manage defects in posterior teeth. The attainment of a desirable outcome when placing posterior resin composite restorations requires the clinician to have a good understanding of the benefits (as well as the limitations) posed by this material, together with a sound knowledge of placement technique. Numerous protocols and materials have evolved to assist the dental operator with this type of demanding posterior restoration. With the use of case examples, four techniques available are reported here. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article explores varying techniques for the restoration of Class II cavities using resin composite.

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of captopril in pharmaceutical formulations using a new solid-phase reactor containing AgSCN immobilized in a polyurethane resin

A simple flow-injection analysis procedure was developed for determining captopril in pharmaceutical formulations employing a novel solid-phase reactor containing silver thiocyanate immobilized in a castor oil derivative polyurethane resin. The method was based on silver mercaptide formation between the captopril and Ag(I) in the solid-phase reactor. During such a reaction, the SCN- anion was released and reacted with Fe3+, which generated the FeSCN2+ complex that was continuously monitored at 480 nm. The analytical curve was linear in the captopril concentration range from 3.0 × 10-4 mol L-1 to 1.1 × 10-3 mol L-1 with a detection limit of 8.0 × 10-5 mol L-1. Recoveries between 97.5% and 103% and a relative standard deviation of 2% for a solution containing 6.0 × 10-4 mol L-1 captopril (n = 12) were obtained. The sample throughput was 40 h-1 and the results obtained for captopril in pharmaceutical formulations using this procedure and those obtained using a pharmacopoeia procedure were in agreement at a 95% confidence level.

Um procedimento simples de análise por injeção em fluxo foi desenvolvido para a determinação de captopril em formulações farmacêuticas empregando um novo reator em fase sólida contendo tiocianato de prata imobilizado em resina poliuretana obtida a partir de óleo de mamona. O método foi baseado na formação de um mercapto composto de prata, no reator em fase sólida, obtido entre o captopril e Ag (I) imobilizada. Durante a reação, íons SCN- eram liberados e reagiam com Fe3+, gerando o complexo FeSCN2+, que foi continuamente monitorado em 480 nm. A curva analítica foi linear no intervalo de concentração de captopril entre 3,0 × 10-4 a 1,1 × 10-3 mol L-1 com um limite de detecção de 8,0 × 10-5 mol L-1. Recuperações entre 97,5-103% e desvio padrão relativo de 2% para uma solução contendo 6,0 × 10-4 mol L-1 de captopril (n = 12) foram obtidos. A frequência de amostragem foi de 40 h-1 e os resultados obtidos para captopril em formulações farmacêuticas utilizando este procedimento e o da Farmacopeia, estão de acordo em um nível de confiança de 95%.

Genetic toxicology of dental composite resin extracts in somatic cells in vivo.

The aim of this study was to assess the potential genetic toxicity associated to nine aqueous extracts from dental composite resins (Charisma, Fill Magic, Fill Magic Flow, Durafill, TPH Spectrum, Concept, Natural Look, Filtek Z250 and Filtek P60) and one random extract. Homologous mitotic recombination, point and chromosomal mutation effects were determined in somatic proliferative cells of Drosophila melanogaster exposed to aqueous extracts of the clinically used composites. Reproducible increases in clone mutant spot frequencies induced by diluted extract of Fill Magic Flow were observed. These increments were exclusively associated to the induction of homologous recombination - a genetic phenomenon involved in the loss of heterozygosis. The other eight composite resins and the random extract had no statistically significant effect on total spot frequencies - suggesting that they are non-genotoxic in the somatic mutation and recombination test assay, which agrees with the applications they have in dentistry. These findings - supported by numerous studies showing a positive correlation between carcinogenicity in man and genotoxicity in the Drosophila wing spot test - point to the potential risks some composite resins pose to the health of patients and dentistry personnel.

Determination of the mechanical properties of Bionate 80A and Bionate 75D for the stress analysis of cushion form bearings.

Two biomedical grade polyurethanes, currently under investigation as an alternative tibial bearing for a total knee replacement, are analysed. Extensive mechanical testing has been performed on these materials to determine the mechanical properties in terms of strain energy density functions for use in the finite element package MSC. Marc 2001 that do not rely on linear elasticity. A variation in Poisson's ratio in the fourth decimal place can lead to significant errors in the magnitude and distribution of stresses in a linear elastic analysis. As large variations in this parameter (up to the first decimal place) were determined experimentally, it is concluded that a linear elastic approach to the stress analysis of these materials is not valid.

Compressive and shear properties of commercially available polyurethane foams.

BACKGROUND: The shear properties of rigid polyurethane (PU-R) foams, routinely used to simulate cancellous bone, are not well characterized. METHOD OF APPROACH: The present assessment of the shear and compressive properties of four grades of Sawbones "Rigid cellular" PU-R foam tested 20 mm gauge diameter dumb-bell specimens in torsion and under axial loading. RESULTS: Shear moduli ranged from 13.3 to 99.7 MPa, shear strengths from 0.7 MPa to 4.2 MPa. Compressive yield strains varied little with density while shear yield strains had peak values with "200 kgm-3" grade. CONCLUSIONS: PU-R foams may be used to simulate the elastic but not failure properties of cancellous bone.

A laboratory observation of some toxic effects of commercially available implant polyurethanes on HL-60 cancer cells.

We studied the interaction of HL-60 cells with films of commercial polyurethanes (PU). The cast films were dried in an oven at 60 degrees C for forty eight hours, washed in doubly distilled water, and soaked in fresh water for another 48 hours to ensure that all of the leachables including the dimethylacetamide used as casting solvent was removed before they were introduced to the cells. The HL-60 cells were cultured in the RPM1-1640, at 37 degrees C, 100% humidity and 5% CO2. Evaluation of the effects between the cells and the films, was done by counting the live cells using a hemacytometer and a light microscope. Preliminary analysis of our data have shown that while some brands of polyurethane can slow down or suppress the growth of the phagocytic type of cells, others can enhance the cell growth. It was concluded that this observation was new but should be investigated further to better understanding the interactions which may lead to the development of in vitro methods for screening the safety and stability of PU intended for implantation.

A review of the biostability and carcinogenicity of polyurethanes in medicine and the new generation of 'biostable' polyurethanes.

Polyurethanes are very versatile materials which have been used in the body for over 20 years. In fact, there are probably more scientific papers describing these materials and modifications of these materials for medical use than any other material to date. Unfortunately, some formulations of these polymers are subject to biodegradation and have limited their application in the body. Extensive investigation of the biodegradation mechanisms of these polymers by many researchers in the field has led to the development of a new generation of what are now called 'biostable' polyurethanes. This article reviews the history of polyurethane in medicine, polyurethane nomenclature, the biodegradation of these materials, the proposed mechanisms of its degradation as well as the carcinogenicity associated with these materials. Included in the discussion are the polyurethanes used as pacemaker lead insulators as well as those used to coat breast implants. The article concludes with a review of the new generation of 'biostable' polyurethanes and their proposed formulations.