TITLE:
Surface Perfluoroalkyl Chains Segregation: A Tool for Reducing Calcium Deposits in Medical Grade Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)
AUTHORS:
Baljit K. Ghatora, Peter J. S. Foot, Stephen J. Barton, Ravtej S. Thatti, Antonio Papagni, Luca Vaghi
KEYWORDS:
Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA), Perfluoroalkyl, Segregation, Medical Polymers, Wettability, Calcium Deposits
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology,
Vol.8 No.2,
April
30,
2017
ABSTRACT: Intraocular lenses can be manufactured from a wide
variety of polymers, but due to the lost cost associated with the use of Poly (methyl
methacrylate) (PMMA), it is still the preferred material used in the developing
countries. However, a major drawback to its use is the build-up of calcium containing
deposits that are formed on the intraocular lens over a period of time. In an
attempt to hinder this deposition, surface modification of medical grade PMMA
has been carried out using perfluoroalkyl chain (1,2,4-trifluoro-3-(C10F21CH2O)-7-(N,N)-dimethylaminoacridine)
segregation. The segregation was explored using a 1% 1,2,4-trifluoro-3-(C10F21CH2O)-7-(N,N)-dimethyla-minoacridine in two methods: film casting and
spin-coating, a thin
film onto preformed PMMA discs. Both methods were compared against control PMMA
to determine which method provided the best hindrance against calcium
containing deposits when immersed in a simulated aqueous humour solution.
Characterisation of the surface using scanning electron microscopy coupled with
energy; dispersive x-ray analysis indicated that the surface segregation of perfluoroalkyl
chains had hindered calcification in both methods. This pleminary research
shows promising results of employing perfluoroalkyl chains in the surface
segregation of biomaterials that can be employed in intraocular lenses.