A film prototype for ocular delivery

• Main Author: Wang, Anthony Zhen An
• Other Authors: Subramanian Venkatraman
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Biomaterials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/15346
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The use of shape memory effect in biomedical devices to treat ocular disease such as glaucoma is increasingly popular. The device can be inserted into the eye with a low shape profile, before being allowed to expand to a desired shape at the site of application. This study focuses on the synthesis of a device using a biodegradable polymer film, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). Several parameters were investigated by correlating their influence on the shape memory characteristic of PLGA 53/47. To quantify the recovery of the temporary deformed film, thermomechanical cycle and bending test methods were adopted. The effects of deformation stress, temperature and duration, processing methods and shape-setting duration were evaluated. High deformation stress at lower deformation temperature for a short duration will yield a higher recovery of the temporary deformed film. Permanent shape of the polymer can be induce by heating it above its glass transition temperature and curved into its shape for a sufficient time. Solution-cast PLGA 53/47 also exhibit better shape memory behavior than the compression-mold one. Generally, the effects of these parameters on the shape memory behavior can be explained in the basis of molecular orientation, slippage effects and thermodynamics aspects.