Browse Topic: Biomaterials

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Q&A: Solid Silk - A Biocompatible, Sustainable, Degradable Building BlockTBMG-361753/1/2020
David Kaplan, Stern Family Professor of Engineering at Tufts University’s College of Engineering, and his team have developed a unique and practical method for processing silk into solid form for products such as rods and plates for medical implants.
Leading Women in Engineering & Science: Ekaterina Tkatchouk, Principal Engineer, Edwards LifesciencesTBMG-363103/1/2020
What led you to choose science and/or engineering as a career, particularly in the medical device industry?
Precision 3D BioprinterTBMG-360572/1/2020
nScrypt Inc. Orlando, FL 407-275-4720
Implants: Protective Membrane Reduces Tissue BuildupTBMG-357751/1/2020
Scientists have developed a special protective membrane made of cellulose that significantly reduces the buildup of fibrotic tissue around cardiac pacemaker implants, as reported in a recent issue of the journal Biomaterials.1 The protective membrane could greatly simplify surgical procedures for patients with cardiac pacemakers.
Options for Reducing Friction When Using Silicone ElastomersTBMG-357691/1/2020
Silicone has a long and proven history of use with medical devices and can provide many benefits, from flexibility to cushioning. When working with some medical devices, however, silicones can present challenges due to an inherent surface tack. The surface of cured silicone elastomers is sometimes characterized by a high coefficient of friction (CoF), some degree of tackiness, and a tendency for blocking (sticking to itself by virtue of chemical affinity). These characteristics may need to be addressed in applications that require a molded or extruded silicone component to move or slide with minimal friction. Blocking is particularly evident in slit valves, for example, where the two sides of the silicone part touch each other and “heal,” or close the slit.
New 3D Printing Technique for BiomaterialsTBMG-3562612/1/2019
A new technique could be used to print soft biomaterials that could be used to repair defects in the body. The method offers an alternative to existing techniques that use gels that have been minced to form a slurry bath into which the printed material is injected. Called Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH), these materials offer many advantages, but friction within the gel medium can distort the printing.
Bioresorbable Patch Offers New Alternative for Arterial HealingTBMG-3563212/1/2019
When a patient experiences 70 percent or greater stenosis in the carotid artery — a condition that can cause lack of cerebral blood flow, stroke, and in some cases, death — surgeons perform a procedure known as carotid endarterectomy (CEA) to remove the plaque causing the artery stenosis.1,2 The procedure consists of a longitudinal incision made from the common to the internal carotid artery, allowing for removal of the plaque that deposits in the bifurcation.
Matrix-Free Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Using Metal-Organic FrameworksTBMG-345346/1/2019
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is a soft ionization technique that is widely applied in the characterization of large biomolecules using various mass spectrometry (MS) analyzers, specifically, time-of-flight (TOF) analyzers. The MALDI process involves the deposition of an analyte solution onto a metal substrate before the addition of a matrix. The matrix/analyte dry spot is exposed to a UV laser, and the laser energy that is absorbed by the matrix/analyte is converted into heat energy that initiates charge transfer, which results in the desorption of the matrix and analyte molecules in ionized form. The positive ions are then accelerated through a vacuum into MS analyses.
Hybrid Natural Fiber Composites in a Helicopter Cabin Door - Mechanical Properties and Ecological EfficiencyF-0075-2019-147215/13/2019
The overall goal of this work is the application of bio-based materials in an aerospace structure, while maintaining the structural-mechanical performance in accordance with its certification standards. This goal was pursued through the use of hybrid composites made from a combination of conventional (carbon) and bio-based fiber composites (flax). The cockpit door of an ultralight helicopter was chosen to prove the applicability of this hybrid composite. A reference door, built from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers, was considered a benchmark to the requirements in terms of mass, stiffness, damping, ecological efficiency and costs. First, the benchmark door was built and characterized. Then the geometry was redesigned for the application of flax fiber composites, leading to an increase of the areal moment of inertia. The new geometry was then analyzed using multiple gravity loads. Highly loaded areas were locally reinforced with carbon prepregs. Tensile tests and sub- component cantilever beam tests were iteratively analyzed for the development and advancement of the finite element
Strohrmann, Katharina, André, Nicolas, Manfred, Hajek
Designs to Dye for: Autonomy's New-Materials Revolution19AVEP05_055/1/2019
From pineapples to bacteria, Envisage's research is focused on new mobility's ‘inside’ story. Evolving vehicle engineering constantly reshapes vehicle architectures. But along with electrified drive-trains and autonomous capabilities is the need for a mindset shift in materials, opening the way for new sustainable solutions in color, materials and finish (CMF). Future cabins could have pineapple, banana, coconut and eucalyptus among the material solutions-with bacteria playing a potentially positive role. All these sources are at play for research designer Sammie Mayers-Nissen and her colleagues at Envisage, the U.K.-based specialist engineering services provider helping to find sustainable alternatives to plastic, leather and harmful dyes that still meet quality, durability and cost demands. “As always, in terms of R&D of alternative materials and color, production-cost consideration is the massive driver, with performance very close behind,” said Mayers-Nissen.
Birch, Stuart
Composite Advances Lignin as Renewable 3D Printing MaterialTBMG-339353/1/2019
Lignin is the material left over from the processing of biomass. It gives plants rigidity and also makes biomass resistant to being broken down into useful products. Researchers combined a melt-stable hardwood lignin with conventional plastic, a low-melting nylon, and carbon fiber to create a composite with just the right characteristics for extrusion and weld strength between layers during the printing process, as well as excellent mechanical properties.
Shape-Shifting Material Morphs Using Heat and LightTBMG-336061/1/2019
A controllable material was developed that can transform into complex, pre-programmed shapes via light and temperature stimuli, allowing it to morph into a different shape before fully reverting to its original form. The ability to form materials that can repeatedly oscillate back and forth between two independent shapes by exposing them to light could enable applications in additive manufacturing, robotics, and biomaterials.
Large-Volume Extruder for 3D PrintersTBMG-335951/1/2019
A low-cost 3D bioprinter was built by modifying a standard desktop 3D printer with a syringe-based, large volume extruder (LVE). The extruder works with most open-source fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers.
Effects of Surface Preparation on Medical Silicone Adhesive PerformanceTBMG-3345312/1/2018
Medical device manufacturers often use silicone adhesives to bond parts together when assembling products such as catheters, pacemakers, cochlear implants, aesthetic implants, and gastric balloons. In addition to evaluating the different types of adhesive formulations, device manufacturers also need to critically assess several other factors in the adhesion process, including the substrates to be bonded, their surface energy, and even the overall device manufacturing process. Without addressing these factors early in the design process, medical device manufacturers risk costly delays and potential device manufacturing issues.
Biomaterials with “Frankenstein Proteins” Help Heal TissueTBMG-3345012/1/2018
Biomedical engineers from Duke University and Washington University in St. Louis have demonstrated that, by injecting an artificial protein made from a solution of ordered and disordered segments, a solid scaffold forms in response to body heat, and in a few weeks seamlessly integrates into tissue.
3D-Printed Biomaterials Degrade on DemandTBMG-297077/1/2018
Stereolithography — a method of 3D printing — uses an ultraviolet laser controlled by a computer-aided design system to trace patterns across the surface of a photoactive polymer solution. The light causes the polymers to link together, forming solid 3D structures from the solution. The tracing process is repeated until an entire object is built from the bottom up. Stereolithographic printing usually uses photoactive polymers that link together with covalent bonds, which are strong, but irreversible.
Simple Method Developed for 3D Biofabrication Based on Bacterial CelluloseTBMG-291016/1/2018
Bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers are promising building blocks for the development of sustainable materials with the potential to outperform conventional synthetic materials. BC, one of the purest forms of nanocellulose, is produced at the interface between the culture medium and air, where the aerobic bacteria have access to oxygen. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, high thermal stability, and mechanical strength are some of the unique properties that facilitate BC adoption in food, cosmetics, and biomedical applications including tissue regeneration, implants, wound dressing, burn treatment, and artificial blood vessels.
Scientists Develop Elastic Metal Rods to Treat ScoliosisTBMG-290655/1/2018
National University of Science and Technology MISIS Moscow, Russia
Control for Molecular MachinesTBMG-288174/1/2018
Scientists around the world are working on new technologies for the nanofactories of the future, which one day could be used to analyze biochemical samples or produce active medical agents. The required miniature machines can already be produced costeffectively using the DNA-origami technique.
Squirtable Surgical Glue Could Transform Surgeries and Save LivesTBMG-285213/1/2018
Sutures and staples are the traditional methods for closing surgical incisions and wounds in emergency situations. However, these methods can be inadequate in complex surgeries and cannot make an airtight or liquid-tight seal on a lung or artery wound or incision. Now researchers funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) have created a surgical glue that is squirted onto wounds and then sets to form an elastic airtight or liquid-tight seal in just one minute. Successfully tested in animals, the sealant has enormous promise for life-saving use in humans.
Hydrogels Release Therapeutics in Response to Environmental TriggersTBMG-282861/24/2018
Scientists have built and tested a new biomaterial-based delivery system — known as a hydrogel — that will encase a desired cargo and dissolve to release its freight only when specific physiological conditions are met.
Dental Material Resists Plaque, Kills MicrobesTBMG-2819912/27/2017
Researchers have evaluated a new dental material tethered with an antimicrobial compound that not only kills bacteria but also resists biofilm growth. In addition, unlike some drug-infused materials, it is effective with minimal toxicity to the surrounding tissue, as it contains a low dose of the antimicrobial agent that kills only the bacteria that come in contact with it.
Stronger Silk Offers Biomedical ApplicationsTBMG-2790711/15/2017
Engineers have found they can make a material that is more than twice as stiff as its natural counterpart and can be shaped into complex structures such as meshes and lattices.
3D-Printing Materials Offer Safer Option for Wound CareTBMG-2784311/1/2017
Cellulose nanofibrils have properties that can improve the characteristics of bio-based 3D printing pastes. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is developing a 3D wound care product for monitoring wound conditions in hospitals.
Medical Plastics: Meeting Today’s Changing RequirementsTBMG-264272/1/2017
Today’s medical device designers and OEMs are challenged to meet a wide, and sometimes conflicting, range of requirements. These targets stem not only from regulatory restrictions, but are equally likely to arise based on market perceptions, pressures to contain costs, and the changing materials supply landscape.
Researchers Create Customized Proteins from 'Bacterial Builders'TBMG-2596211/20/2016
Researchers from Wyss Institute have revealed a scalable method for building biomaterials from protein structures known as "amyloids." Ongoing work in the lab will focus on fabricating a wide variety of materials, including hydrogels that can interface with the body.
3D Textile EngineeringTBMG-2595011/1/2016
Secant Medical, Telford, PA, has developed 3D textile engineering technology by integrating traditional textile engineering with advanced biomaterials. By combining the spatial resolution capability with advanced bioresorbable polymers, the company uses its proprietary bioelastomer Regenerez® to assist in enhancing the biomechanical properties of these 3D structures. This technology transforms a simple, synthetic textile into an elastomeric scaffold, which provides for a broad range of bioresorbable polymers for the structural design. The company has begun development of an anatomical scaffold prototype based on the trachea. The 3D textile engineered trachea scaffold demonstrates the precision of creating 20 Cshaped rings stacked along the length of the prototype with narrow, flexible regions spaced in between to mimic the natural bioarchitecture of the trachea.
Salt-Measuring Sensor Spots Early Signs of Cystic FibrosisTBMG-254519/25/2016
Biomaterials scientists from Penn State, University Park, PA, have developed a new, inexpensive method for detecting salt in sweat or other bodily fluids. The fluorescent sensor, derived from citric acid molecules, is highly sensitive and highly selective for chloride, the key diagnostic marker in cystic fibrosis.
Bio-Based Composites and Their Applications for Auto Interior Parts2016-01-05124/5/2016
Polylactide (PLA), which is one of the most important biocompatible polyesters that are derived from annually renewable biomass such as corn and sugar beets, has attracted much attention for automotive parts application. The manufacturing method of PLA is the ring-opening polymerization of the dimeric cyclic ester of lactic acid, lactide. For the PLA composites including stereocomplexed with L- and D-PLA, we developed the unit processes such as fermentation, separation, lactide conversion, and polymerization. We investigated D-lactic acid fermentation with a view to obtaining the strains capable of producing D-lactic acid, and through catalyst screening test for polycondensation and depolymerization reactions, we got a new method which shortens the whole reaction time of lactide synthesis step. Poly(d-lactide) is obtained from the ring-opening polymerization of d-lactide. Also we investigated several catalysts and polymerization conditions. Finally, we got the best catalyst system and the scale-up technology. And PLA was melt blended with polypropylene (PP) and elastomer, glass fiber with the various ratio of PLA/PP/elastomer/glass fiber, L-PLA/ D-PLA / elastomer /glass fiber in the twin screw extruder. The mechanical and thermal properties of such as tesile, flexural and impact were studied. It was found that new PP/PLA elastomer/glass fiber composites and strereo-complexed PLA composites could be applied to auto parts applications.
Hong, Chae-Hwan
Mouth Guard Detects Key Diabetes MarkerTBMG-229039/1/2015
Engineers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a mouth guard that monitors health markers, such as lactate, cortisol, and uric acid, in saliva. The information can then be wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone, laptop, or tablet.
Researchers Develop Biodegradable Wooden Computer ChipsTBMG-223596/17/2015
Portable electronics — typically made of non-renewable, non-biodegradable and potentially toxic materials — are discarded at an alarming rate in consumers' pursuit of the next best electronic gadget. In an effort to alleviate the environmental burden of electronic devices, a team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers has collaborated with researchers in the Madison-based U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) to develop a surprising solution: a semiconductor chip made almost entirely of wood.
Regenerating the Future of Biomaterials in OrthopedicsTBMG-2071710/2/2014
Musculoskeletal ailments are a primary cause of disability in the United States. As reported by the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (), with a nearly $950-million burden weighing on the healthcare system, there is a considerable and growing need for advanced treatments for a variety of orthopedic conditions, especially as patients continue to desire to maintain an active lifestyle well into their golden years.
A Life Cycle Assessment of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites in Automotive Applications2014-01-19594/1/2014
Automakers have the opportunity to utilize bio-based composite materials to lightweight cars while replacing conventional, nonrenewable resource materials. In this study, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to understand the potential benefits and tradeoffs associated with the implementation of bio-based composite materials in automotive component production. This cradle-to-grave approach quantifies the fiber and resin production as well as material processing, use, and end of life for both a conventional glass-reinforced polypropylene component as well as a cellulose-reinforced polypropylene component. The comparison is calculated for an exterior component on a high performance vehicle. The life cycle primary energy consumption and global warming potential (GWP) are evaluated. Reduced GWP associated with the alternative component are due to the use of biomass as process energy and carbon sequestration, in addition to the alternative material component's lightweighting effect. Sensitivity analyses exploring both the effect of the automobile's lifetime as well as material sourcing is explored.
Boland, Claire, DeKleine, Robb, Moorthy, Aditi, Keoleian, Gregory, Kim, Hyung Chul, Lee, Ellen, Wallington, Timothy J.
Shaping the Next Generation of Cardiovascular Devices Through Biomedical Textile EngineeringTBMG-189171/1/2014
The cardiovascular device market is growing, with research forecasting that the cardiac implant medical device market alone will exceed $27 billion by the year 2017, according to the May 2013 Renub Research study “Global Cardiac Implant Devices Market Forecast, Clinical Trials, M&A”. There is tremendous opportunity in this industry, but with it comes intensifying pressure on device OEMs to innovate on the traditional implant model. As a result, engineers are increasingly required to explore new and different solutions to achieve in vivo drug delivery, implant success, fewer revisions, and improved patient outcomes.
Fine-Tuning Emissions From Quantum DotsTBMG-174059/1/2013
Tiny particles of matter called quantum dots, which emit light with exceptionally pure and bright colors, have found a prominent role as biological markers. In addition, they are realizing their potential in computer and television screens, and have promise in solid-state lighting. New research at MIT could now make these quantum dots even more efficient at delivering precisely tuned colors of light.
Advanced Materials Research Center AnnouncedTBMG-167408/1/2013
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) plans to establish a new Advanced Materials Center of Excellence to facilitate collaborations between NIST and researchers from academia and industry on advanced materials development.
Celtic Knot Designs Inspire Polymer BreakthroughTBMG-165287/1/2013
A slow-motion method of controlling the synthesis of polymers, inspired by trees and Celtic Knot designs, could open up new possibilities in areas including medical devices, drug delivery, elastics, and adhesives, say an Irish research team.
New Hydrogel Destroys Drug-Resistant BiofilmsTBMG-161734/1/2013
Researchers from the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) in Singapore, in collaboration with IBM Research say that they have developed the firstever antimicrobial hydrogel that can break apart biofilms and destroy multidrug-resistant superbugs upon contact.
Medicine Delivery Device With Integrated Sterilization and DetectionTBMG-155001/1/2013
Sterile delivery devices can be created by integrating a medicine delivery instrument with surfaces that are coated with germicidal and anti-fouling material. This requires that a large surface-area template be developed within a constrained volume to ensure good contact between the delivered medicine and the germicidal material. Both of these can be integrated using JPL-developed silicon nanotip or cryo-etch black silicon technologies with atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating of specific germicidal layers.
Cardiovascular Applications of Biomedical MaterialsTBMG-1488510/1/2012
Every day, a healthy human heart pumps 2,000 gallons of blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels. Given this demanding workload, it’s not surprising that people can suffer heart complications. People are living longer lives and the number of patients with cardiovascular disease is growing. As the average age and weight of the population increases, so does their propensity to develop cardiovascular disease. Significant advancements to minimally invasive cardiovascular treatments are improving physicians’ ability to treat heart disease, while specialized interventional cardiovascular techniques are becoming increasingly important to slow its progression.
Silk Microneedles Deliver Controlled-Release Drugs PainlesslyTBMG-146339/1/2012
Bioengineers have developed a new silk-based microneedle system able to deliver precise amounts of drugs over time and without need for refrigeration. The tiny needles can be fabricated under normal temperature and pressure and from water, so they can be loaded with sensitive biochemical compounds and maintain their activity prior to use. They are also biodegradable and biocompatible.
Biomaterials Unlock Potential of Regenerative MedicineTBMG-143418/1/2012
Regenerative medicine (RM) holds the potential to address some of society’s most intractable health problems and restore or establish normal bodily function. Today, regenerative medicine is an emerging technology that relies on the convergence of a number of competencies in biotechnology and bioengineering. By merging these collective competencies, researchers hope to provide the critical answers to the complex problems of tissue engineering and extend these concepts into regenerative medicine.
Bioabsorbable Material Textile for Improving In Vivo Device DesignTBMG-139266/1/2012
A non-woven absorbable scaffold has been designed for implant devices in orthopedics, cardiology, and general surgery, as well as other in vivo applications. Where classic tissue engineering utilized non-woven textile structures as environments for cell growth, medical device developers are now going further to exploit the benefits of these bioabsorbable scaffolds for applications and surgical procedures right inside the body, as well as for cosmetic surgery, wound care, and more. BIOFELT combines the benefits of traditional 3D non-woven scaffold technology with advanced manufacturing techniques to deliver this transformative capability.
The light stuff12OFHD0524_015/24/2012
Engineers look to lightweighting construction and agricultural equipment to contribute to efficiency while maintaining safety compliance. Customers in the agricultural sprayer industry want longer spray booms for higher efficiency and productivity. Manufacturers have lengthened commercial spray booms from 60 ft (18.3 m) to the more than 120-ft (36.6-m) booms currently used. John Peterson, Director of Engineering, Global Applications & Seeding Electronics Functional Group at AGCO, said that as the structures grow, it becomes obvious that traditional welded steel cannot be used. Domex, a high-strength steel, is used in current products, but it does not provide the length-to-strength ratio necessary AGCO and NDSU are researching joints of multiple types of materials to create longer, lighter-weight spray booms. for longer structures, which Peterson says could be more than 170 ft (51.8 m) long. “The boom becomes so heavy that problems arise in the middle where it attaches to the platform. Adding more steel is a vicious cycle,” he said. “There is a quest for everyone in the sprayer business; everyone is trying to make lighter structures.”
Sniderman, Debbie
Lightweight Door Panel Made with Bio-Based Composite Material2012-01-09424/16/2012
This paper presents a new concept for a 100% plastic prototype automotive door panel. This concept has the potential of providing a weight reduction of up to 40% compared to conventional steel door panels, but with equivalent performance (static strength). This innovative technology can be used for a variety of exterior automotive parts. The concept includes a composite sandwich panel combination of GFRP (glass-fiber-reinforced polymer), and LACTIF®, which is expanded beads foam made from PLA (polylactic acid) and developed by JSP Corporation. This GFRP+LACTIF® composite design offers the following characteristics: - Excellent environmental resistance, - Strong adhesion, - Equivalent static strength (versus conventional door panels), and - Design flexibility. This concept also offers an alternative to conventional steel door panel systems by using unsaturated polyester material of plant origin as part of the GFRP composite. Using this combination with PLA would yield a sustainable product containing up to 80% bio-based material.
Sopher, Steven R., Sasaki, Hidehiro
The Use of Soy Polyols in Automotive Acoustical Foams2011-01-12574/12/2011
Huntsman is a global leader in polyurethane technology for automotive applications and recognizes the use of bio-based materials as a key element of many OEM's sustainability strategies. The use of soy-based polyols in polyurethane foams was investigated for use in acoustical applications such as dash insulators and carpet underlayment. The base polyol in a typical acoustical foam was replaced with one of several soy-based polyols available on the market and tested for physical and acoustical properties. The foams were also evaluated as to the effect the soy-based polyol had on processing characteristics. The base polyol was replaced with 10% and 20% of the soy-based polyol. These foams showed some degradation of physical properties. The effect of the soy-based polyol on acoustical properties was index and frequency dependent. Some acoustical properties increased while others decreased. The processing characteristics were also affected; most notably cure time as evidenced by finger printing and thickness loss upon crushing. Overall, the foams performed well but will need additional formulation development to meet all the physical and processing properties required for dash insulator and carpet underlayment applications.
Olari, John, cheolas, Evan
SCAFTEX® Non-Woven Bio-Textile for Implantable DevicesTBMG-93633/1/2011
Classic tissue engineering utilizes absorbable non-woven biomedical textiles from a variety of fibers to aid in cell growth and proliferation, and medical device companies rely on these materials for implantable devices that must degrade over time. Non-woven bio-textiles such as SCAFTEX® and others have become the material of choice for many tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications, and with superior surface area, high void volume, and excellent permeability, they are now also increasingly used in a wide variety of restorative applications ranging from orthopedic reconstruction and wound management to cosmetic surgery.
Plastic Solutions to Meet Sustainability Trends and Needs in the Automotive Area2011-26-00521/19/2011
An overview is given of the various drivers' needs and trends in the automotive industry, and how these are matched by various new plastic solutions while significantly increasing the sustainability of various car systems and cars in total. These plastic solutions are demonstrated for eco-efficient solutions consisting of existing materials that contribute to sustainability of the car via component lifetime extension, or fuel/emission reduction due to weight savings or friction reduction. An alternative solution focuses on modification of the material itself by using non-hazardous substances as performance improvers, recycled-based materials and biobased plastics, like PA410. Application cases thereof are given to demonstrate potential in terms of sustainability indicators like CO₂ reduction or fuel use.
Huisman, Marc R. S., Havenith, Bert
Biotic-Abiotic Interface Between the Body and an Artificial LimbTBMG-78765/1/2010
Because of its high mechanical properties, chemical stability, and biocompatibility, titanium is a commonly used material in dental and orthopedic applications. Its excellent biocompatibility allows titanium implants to be directly anchored to bone, or osseo-integrated. The conventional prosthetic replacement in amputees is a stump-socket design, which transfers forces through the prosthetic to an external contact point on the patient. Such a design results in non-uniform distribution of pressure, and can lead to pain, infection, and necrosis of the soft tissues at the point of contact.
Hollow Radiopaque Bioactive Microspheres Carry Drugs in Embolization ProceduresTBMG-75623/1/2010
The number of applications of synthetic biomaterials continues to expand. However, the imaging of injected biomaterials is important to control the treatment procedure in real time, to avoid complications, and to assess therapeutic success. Embolization is the obstruction of the blood flow in a vessel that can be an effective treatment for tumors in hepatocellular carcinoma or for uterine fibroids. By combining this embolization therapy with a localized drug delivery, the treatment can even be more effective. The material that is currently used is not radiopaque and can therefore cause difficulties for the interventional radiologist during placement of the embolic. Therefore, hollow, drug-carrying microspheres were made radiopaque.
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