| AVS 64th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Applied Surface Science Division | Monday Sessions |
| Session AS+BI-MoA |
| Session: | Practical Surface Analysis: Complex, Organic and Bio-systems |
| Presenter: | Sarah Coultas, Kratos Analytical Limited, UK |
| Authors: | S.J. Coultas, Kratos Analytical Limited, UK W. Boxford, Kratos Analytical Ltd, UK C.J. Blomfield, Kratos Analytical Limited, UK M. Firlak, Lancaster University, UK J. Hardy, Lancaster University, UK |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Electromagnetic fields affect a variety of tissues (e.g. bone, muscle, nerve and skin) and play important roles in a multitude of biological processes. This has inspired the development of electrically conducting devices for biomedical applications, including: biosensors, drug delivery devices, cardiac/neural electrodes, and tissue scaffolds. It is noteworthy that there are a number of clinically approved devices capable of electrical stimulation of the body, all of which are designed for long term implantation. The first examples were developed in Sweden and include bionic eyes, ears and electrodes for deep brain stimulation (DBS). Recently there has been considerable industrial interest in the development and commercialisation of bioelectronic medicines. Bioelectronics is an emerging area of technology that promises broad impact in healthcare.
The detailed analysis of biomaterials and biomedical devices offers valuable insight into the underlying function of the products. The materials are composites of electroactive polymers (e.g. polypyrrole) and biopolymers (e.g. polysaccharides and proteins) that can be used for various applications (e.g. drug delivery, tissue scaffolds).
Here we demonstrate the application of surface spectroscopies, including XPS and UPS, to characterise bioelectronic materials in various morphologies (e.g. films and foams). We utilise a range of approaches to fully characterise the materials, including investigating any variations in composition either laterally or with depth. We also explore the usefulness of surface cleaning using Argon clusters.
References:
J. Rivnay, et al. Review on bioelectronics: Chem. Mater. 2014, 26, 679−685
G. G. Wallace, et al. Review on bioelectronics: Nanoscale. 2012, 4, 4327–4347
J. G. Hardy, et al. Article on bioelectronic drug delivery devices: J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014, 2(39), 6809-6822.
J. G. Hardy, et al. Article on instructive bioelectronic tissue scaffolds: Macromol. Biosci., 2015, 15, 1490-1496.