Intrinsically Radiopaque Therapeutic Biomaterials for Cancer Therapy Surgical Suturing and Bone Cement Applications A Systematic Study on their Design Biofunctional Performance and X Ray Imageability

Abstract

newlineThe constant and parallel advancements in therapeutic and diagnostic newlinefields of medicine have indeed stimulated the development of numerous newlineefficacious medical technologies. These technological advancements in the newlinehealth care sector put forth tangible ways to provide quality treatment to newlinepatients and to enhance their recovery rate. Since the introduction of the newlinebasic X-ray imaging modality, the conventional Digital Radiography, newlinethere has been a technological boom in the field of medical imaging; newlineMagnetic Resonance Imaging, Ultrasound, Positron Emission Tomography newlineand Nuclear Medicine Scan to name a few. Various innovative approaches newlinehave occurred even in the field of X-ray based imaging that resulted in the newlineinvention of Computed Tomography, Mammography, Digital Subtraction newlineAngiography etc. Nevertheless, there arose the need for radiopaque newlinebiomaterials like contrast agents that would provide a strong contrast newlinebetween the inner body structures. Immense research on the development newlineof functional radiopaque biomaterials like bone scaffolds, bone cement, newlineembolization spheres, dental materials, sutures, stents etc. have occurred newlineand are still in progress. The work presented in the thesis focuses on the newlinedevelopment of functional radiopaque biomaterials that would have newlinespecific therapeutic efficacy together with diagnostic potential under X-ray newlineimaging. Initially, radiopaque magnetic nanocomposites with magnetic newlinehyperthermia potential, chemotherapeutic ability and biomineralization newlinepotential which would aid to treat osteosarcoma and other deep-seated newlinemalignancies were designed and developed. Later, a radiopaque surgical newlinesuture was developed exploring the mechanically strong Agave sisalana plant leaf fibers which were dip-coated with a radiopaque polymer after newlinecontrolled surface pre-treatments and subsequently endowed with newlineantimicrobial ability.