Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in the western world and about half of these deaths are caused by coronary artery disease. One of the most commonly used interventions to treat arterial blockages is to deploy an arterial stent to keep the vessel open. Traditionally, some cardiovascular stents have been associated with serious side-effects, such as thrombosis. This book describes the fundamentals of cardiovascular stents, technologies to functionalize their surfaces and the market status of these important implants. The chapters provide specific focus on the production and evolution of cardiovascular stents, providing essential knowledge for researchers on advances in the field and knowledge of how cardiovascular stents are currently being "functionalized" in order to improve their biocompatibility and minimize negative outcomes in vivo. - Provides a specific focus on cardiovascular stents - Includes a range of topics covering the fundamentals, surface modification and biofunctionalization - Provides essential knowledge for researchers on advances in the field

In this concise but authoritative book, the authors take the reader through the epidemiology, risk factors and the basic mechanism of coronary artery disease. In addition, they explain how coronary microvascular dysfunction can lead to angina, even after successful angioplasty following a heart attack. The methods for diagnosis and the options for treatment are explained, ending with a discussion of the evolution of coronary angioplasty from balloon catheters to novel, fully resorbable polymeric drug eluting stents. Enclosed is a list of currently available commercial devices, as well as a listing of experimental products under research and development, so that readers can appreciate the serious nature of this disease and have an understanding of how the medical device sector is attempting to address this major healthcare problem. Globally in 2010, ischemic heart disease was the cause of 13.3% of all deaths. In the US alone, the direct medical costs from coronary artery disease and stroke are currently estimated to be $126 billion per year, and are expected to rise to $309 billion by 2035.

Handbook of Polymers in Medicine combines core concepts and advanced research on polymers, providing a better understanding of this class of materials in medicine. The book covers all aspects of medical polymers from characteristics and biocompatibility, to the diverse array of applications in medicine. Chapters cover an introduction to polymers in medicine and the challenges associated with biocompatibility in human tissue, polyurethane and supramolecular polymers and their specific applications in medicine, from tissue regeneration to orthopedic surgery and cancer therapeutics. This book offers an interdisciplinary approach that will appeal to researchers in a range of disciplines, including biomedical engineering, materials science, chemistry, pharmacology and translational medicine. The book will also make a useful reference for clinicians and those in medical fields who are interested in materials for medical applications, as well as R&D groups involved in medical device design. - Systematically covers individual polymer classes, from characteristics and biocompatibility to applications in biomedicine - Covers a broad range of applications in medicine, such as cardiac tissue engineering, targeted drug delivery, dentistry, and more - Provides an interdisciplinary review of polymers in medicine, allowing advanced students and experienced researchers in a range of biomedical and clinical fields to learn more about this fast-evolving area

Advances in Thermoplastic Elastomers: Challenges and Opportunities brings together the state-of-the-art in thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), covering innovative materials, synthesis techniques, processing methods and sustainability. Sections outline thermoplastic elastomers, rubber elastic, and thermoplastic vulcanizates, and review the current landscape, from research and published literature, to commercialization and patents. Subsequent chapters offer methodical coverage of different categories of advanced thermoplastic elastomer materials, including areas such as polyolefin-based TPEs and high performance TPEs. The final chapters in the book examine options for sustainability, including bio-based, bio-resourced, and biodegradable TPEs, as well as circular economy and recycling of TPEs.Finally, outlook and future market and research trends are reviewed. This is a valuable book for researchers and advanced students working with elastomers, polymer science, materials chemistry, and materials engineering. In an industrial setting, this is an essential resource for R&D professionals, scientists, and engineers looking to utilize thermoplastic elastomers in a range of advanced applications. Focuses on novel materials, such as polyolefin-based TPEs, fluorinated TPEs, silicone-based TPEs, and ionic TPEs Discusses sustainability in terms of bio-based or biocompatible TPEs, recycling and the circular economy Helps bridge the gap between research and commercialization, reviewing patents, literature, trends, and market.

Comprehensive knowledge on the preparation, characterization, and applications of polymer nanocomposites Chemical Physics of Polymer Nanocomposites examines the state of the art in preparation, processing, characterizing, and applying a wide range of polymer nanocomposites, elucidating nanofiller/polymer interactions, nanofiller dispersion, distribution, filler-filler interactions, and interface properties, with a particular focus on the rheology of this important class of materials. The dependence of the rheological properties on the preparation techniques is discussed in detail, complemented by an overview of the processing approaches using conventional and micro injection molding, extrusion, compression molding, film blowing, pultrusion, and resin transfer molding. The book covers the latest understanding and accomplishments on polymer composites and presents the huge variety of this materials class. Practice-oriented with industry relevance, it also reviews preparation, characterization, morphology, properties, applications, sustainability, and recyclability. The topics covered in Chemical Physics of Polymer Nanocomposites include: Classification of nano fillers, nano-objects, nanomaterials, and polymer nanocomposites based on chemical nature and identity, and synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles General manufacturing methods and processes, including melt and shear mixing manufacturing of polymer nanocomposites 1D nano fillers and polymer nanocomposites, including polymer nanocomposites based on graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) and amphiphilic graphene platelets Polymer nanocomposites based on nano chitin, starch, and lignin, gold nanowires, titanium dioxide, and graphene and graphene oxide Chemical Physics of Polymer Nanocomposites is an essential resource for materials scientists, polymer chemists, chemical engineers, and engineering scientists in industry.

The Laser Manufacturing Process is a comprehensive guide to industrial laser processes, offering insights into their fundamentals, applications across industries, production specifics, and characteristics, including mechanical, metallurgical, and geometrical aspects, as well as potential defects. The book also investigates how industrial laser processes are developed and the diverse attributes of the resulting objects, emphasizing their significance in industrial settings. Here, “objects” refer to the tangible outcomes of laser manufacturing, encompassing a wide array of products and components created through processes like cutting, welding, and additive manufacturing. These objects exhibit distinct mechanical properties, metallurgical characteristics, and geometrical precision, all of which are crucial considerations in their utility and performance within industrial environments. This book functions as a concise reference manual catering to the needs of both students and professionals who require knowledge related to laser manufacturing processes, such as laser cutting, laser welding, and laser additive manufacturing processes.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world today. Thanks to major advances in circulatory biomaterials and medical devices over the past few decades, many complications of this prevalent disease can be managed with great success for prolonged periods.Biomaterials and devices for the circulatory system reviews the latest developments in this important field and how they can be used to improve the success and safety in this industry.Part one discusses physiological responses to biomaterials with chapters on tissue response, blood interface and biocompatibility. Part two then reviews clinical applications including developments in valve technology, percutaneous valve replacement, bypass technologies and cardiovascular stents. Part three covers future developments in the field with topics such as nanomedicine, cardiac restoration therapy, biosensor technology in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and vascular tissue engineering.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors Biomaterials and devices for the circulatory system is a vital reference for those concerned with bioengineering, medical devices and clinicians within this critical field. - Reviews the latest developments in this important field and how they can be used to improve success and safety in the industry - Both current clinical advances as well as future innovation are assessed taking a progressive view of the role of biomaterials in medical applications - An examination of the physiological responses to biomaterials features tissue responses to implanted materials and strategies to improve the biocompatibility of medical devices

Biomedical Application of Nanoparticles explores nanoparticles, their chemical and physicals properties, and how they interact in biological systems with proteins, immune system and targeted cells. Risk assessment of nanoparticles for human is described, including: cellular paradigms, transcriptomics and toxicogenomics. Finally, the applications of nanoparticles in medicine and antioxidant regenerative therapeutics are presented in several chapters with emphasis on how nanoparticles enhance transport of drugs across biological membrane barriers and therefore may enhance drug bioavailability.

Biomaterials work in contact with living matter and this gives a number of specific requirements for their surface properties, such as bioinertness or bioactivity, antibiofouling, and so on. Surface engineering based on physical, chemical, physical-chemical, biochemical or biological principles is important for the preparation of biomaterials with the desired biocontact properties. This book helps the reader gain the knowledge to enable them to work in such a rapidly developing area, with a comprehensive list of references given for each chapter. Strategies for tailoring the biological response through the creation of biomaterial surfaces resistant to fouling are discussed. Methods of eliciting specific biomolecular interactions that can be further combined with patterning techniques to engineer adhesive areas in a noninteractive background are also covered. The theoretical basis of surface engineering for improvement of biocontact properties of polymeric biomaterials as well as the current state-of-the-art of the surface engineering of polymeric biomaterials are presented. The book also includes information on the most used conventional and advanced surface engineering methods. The book is targeted at researchers, post-doctorates, graduate students, and those already working in the field of biomaterials with a special interest in the creation of polymeric materials with improved biocontact properties via surface engineering.