Summary:
This procedure uses supercritical carbon dioxide to impregnate proteins and other biologically active molecules into a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix suitable for tissue engineering and transplant into humans. These materials would achieve greater biocompatibility in physiological enviroments. The exposure to the supercritical carbon dioxide provides simultaneous sterilization and opportunities for the production of foamed morphologies similar to those found in both hard and soft tissues in vivo. This combination of enhanced diffusion, foaming and sterilization can conceivably be exploited to produce or modify a variety of biomedical materials.
Potential Applications:
- Biomedical implants
- Cancer treatment
Advantages:
- Enhanced diffusion
- Sterilization
- Function selectivity
- Low costs