Perkasie, Penna. – April 3, 2013 – The need to develop materials that have improved compliance with the body is crucial to the development of next-generation medical devices. At next week's American Chemical Society National Meeting in New Orleans, LA, Dr. Jeremy Harris, Research Manager at Secant Medical, will discuss the important role that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy play in this process.
Researchers can use both microscopy techniques to glean valuable information about a material's surface, such as its physical and chemical morphology, which is important in understanding the materials interactions with biological systems.
"The material-tissue interface is the first point of interaction between a material and the cells involved in the healing process," said Harris. Harnessing data generated from SEM and FTIR-microscopy can help researchers develop new or analyze existing biomaterials. Dr. Harris will also explain how his work with biomaterials is bridging the gap between academia and functional medical devices with coated biomedical textiles. "The introduction of a biologic component to create an active coating could lead to the creation of a material that mimics the body's natural function and more effectively promotes healing," said Harris. His presentation, "Use of FTIR Imaging and Scanning Electron Microscopy to Analyze the Effects of Degradation on a Resorbable Polyester Biomaterial", will take place on Monday, April 8.
About Secant Medical: Secant Medical® designs and manufactures biomedical textiles and other structures for medical devices. Employing medical fabric engineering technologies, we blend polymeric, metallic and resorbable biomaterials to create custom, high-performance structures that are used in the cardiovascular, general surgery, neurovascular, orthopedic and regenerative medicine fields. Built on a 70-year history, we’re committed to the future of biomaterials and their role in the healing process and are actively engaged in research partnerships to advance next-generation biomaterial development. Secant Medical is a business unit of Fenner PLC, a worldwide leader in reinforced polymer engineering headquartered in Yorkshire, England. For more information, contact Maria Fontanazza at 215-257-8680 x2192 or [email protected]; or visit www.secantmedical.com/release-entry.php.
