beneficial for both cell adhesion and proliferation relative to plain PVA-C. The
addition of gelatin was most effective in improving these factors compared to
addition of chitosan or starch [79].
5 Biomedical Applications
The properties of PVA-C summarized and reviewed thus far demonstrate many of
the desirable properties that make it the material of choice for a broad range of
biomedical applications. Using the freeze–thaw cycling procedure, PVA-C can be
prepared with both tunable mechanical properties and diffusion properties. With the
addition of biocompatible nanofillers such as bacterial cellulose and chitosan, the
range of these properties can be further broadened. The diffusion properties and
some applications of PVA-C for controlled release and delivery have already been
covered (see Sect. 3.2). The focus of this section will be on the use of PVA-C as a
material for medical devices.
5.1 Medical Devices
With tunable properties and the ability to create anisotropic orientation-dependent
mechanical properties, PVA-C and its composites are suitable candidate materials
for medical device application. In this section, we will focus on the use of PVA-C in
cardiovascular devices, including vascular grafts and heart valves, and in orthopedic devices, including cartilage and intervertebral discs.
5.1.1 Orthopedic Devices
Orthopedic devices are used for repair and/or replacement in the musculoskeletal
system, which is under varying amounts of compressive stress. In considering the
use of PVA-C in orthopedic applications, its compressive mechanical properties
(discussed in the section on mechanical properties, Sect. 3.1.1.) are the most
important parameters to be taken into account.
5.1.2 Intervertebral Discs
Intervertebral discs (IVD) maintain the space between vertebrae. This gap serves as
a passageway for spinal nerve bundles to pass through to various parts of the body
from the spinal cord. It also allows for motion in the spine, distributes and transfers
load to the vertebrae, and provides shock absorption [83]. As humans age, the IVDs
degenerate. As a result, some may lose their original thickness or mechanical
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W. Wan et al.
addition of gelatin was most effective in improving these factors compared to
addition of chitosan or starch [79].
5 Biomedical Applications
The properties of PVA-C summarized and reviewed thus far demonstrate many of
the desirable properties that make it the material of choice for a broad range of
biomedical applications. Using the freeze–thaw cycling procedure, PVA-C can be
prepared with both tunable mechanical properties and diffusion properties. With the
addition of biocompatible nanofillers such as bacterial cellulose and chitosan, the
range of these properties can be further broadened. The diffusion properties and
some applications of PVA-C for controlled release and delivery have already been
covered (see Sect. 3.2). The focus of this section will be on the use of PVA-C as a
material for medical devices.
5.1 Medical Devices
With tunable properties and the ability to create anisotropic orientation-dependent
mechanical properties, PVA-C and its composites are suitable candidate materials
for medical device application. In this section, we will focus on the use of PVA-C in
cardiovascular devices, including vascular grafts and heart valves, and in orthopedic devices, including cartilage and intervertebral discs.
5.1.1 Orthopedic Devices
Orthopedic devices are used for repair and/or replacement in the musculoskeletal
system, which is under varying amounts of compressive stress. In considering the
use of PVA-C in orthopedic applications, its compressive mechanical properties
(discussed in the section on mechanical properties, Sect. 3.1.1.) are the most
important parameters to be taken into account.
5.1.2 Intervertebral Discs
Intervertebral discs (IVD) maintain the space between vertebrae. This gap serves as
a passageway for spinal nerve bundles to pass through to various parts of the body
from the spinal cord. It also allows for motion in the spine, distributes and transfers
load to the vertebrae, and provides shock absorption [83]. As humans age, the IVDs
degenerate. As a result, some may lose their original thickness or mechanical
306
W. Wan et al.