Application of Polymer Nanocomposites in the Nanomedicine Landscape: Envisaging Strategies to Combat Implant Associated Infections

Abstract

This review article presents an overview of the potential biomedical application of polymer nanocomposites arising from different chemistries, compositions, and constructions. The interaction between the chosen matrix and the filler is of critical importance. The existing polymer used in the biomedical arena includes aliphatic polyesters such as polylactide (PLA), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO), poly(butylenes succinate) (PBS), poly(hydroxyalkanoate)s, and natural biopolymers such as starch, cellulose, chitin, chitosan, lignin, and proteins. The nanosized fillers utilized to fabricate the nanocomposites are inorganic, organic, and metal particles such as clays, magnetites, hydroxyapatite, nanotubes chitin whiskers, lignin, cellulose, Au, Ag, Cu, etc. These nanomaterials are taking root in a variety of diverse healthcare applications in the sector of nanomedicine including the domain of medical implants and devices. Despite sterilization and aseptic procedures the use of these biomedical devices and prosthesis to improve the patient's 'quality of life' is facing a major impediment because of bacterial colonization causing nosocomial infection, together with the multi-drug-resistant 'super-bugs' posing a serious threat to its utility. This paper discusses the current efforts and key research challenges in the development of self-sterilizing nanocomposite biomaterials for potential application in this area.

A holistic engineering approach for utilization of olive pomace

“…Various lignocellulosic materials are compared to those of olive pomace in order to emphasize the importance of this resource. Particularly, high lignin concentration of about 50% is very appealing in terms of lignin utilization in biomedical applications that would lead valueadded products [25,26]. In a study focusing on lignin extraction Table 3 The lignin, holocellulose and ␣-cellulose contents of unprocessed and de-oiled olive pomace with SC-CO2 and hexane extractions.…”

Antimicrobial strategies for urinary catheters

“…The application of implantable medical devices has greatly improved the healthcare quality for human beings. However, in the United States, ~1.7 million cases of healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs) are reported annually and more than half are associated with medical implants . In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, the occurrence of HAIs resulted in 99,000 deaths and an estimated $20 billion in healthcare cost …”

“…However, in the United States,~1.7 million cases of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are reported annually and more than half are associated with medical implants. 1 In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, the occurrence of HAIs resulted in 99,000 deaths and an estimated $20 billion in healthcare cost. 2 As one of the most well-known medical devices, the urinary catheter has been used for urine retention on indwelling basis for centuries.…”

ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles as novel antimicrobial agents for oral hygiene: a review

“…One of the most noticeable contributions of nanotechnology to oral hygiene and health is the nanoparticlebased dental materials with improved antimicrobial properties such as nanofillers, nanocomposites, and nanoparticle-based polymers (Cheng et al 2012;Dwivedi et al 2013;Hule and Pochan 2007). Development of such antimicrobial dental materials is a challenge as the addition of antimicrobial agents to these materials may adversely affect their physicochemical properties including hardness and mechanical strength (Hanemann and Szabó 2010).…”