POLYMERIC MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING IN MEDICINE

At the end of the course the student will be able to recognize the main classes of polymeric materials used in the medical field, identifying their structure and properties. Furthermore, they will understand the type of production processes depending on the type of object to be created and, through laboratory practice, they will have acquired the fundamentals of some testing and production techniques.

Frontal and Laboratory sessions

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

The prerequisites are Chemistry and Physics. The course will provide basic knowledge where not present.

1. Introduction to Materials Science (10 hours)

1. Materials structure: basic concepts (2)
2. Materials classification: Metals, Polymers, Ceramics and Composites. (3)
3. Thermomechanical properties of Materials (5) (Stress and Strain, Tensile and Flexural testing, Tg and Tm, CTE)

2. Introduction to Materials used in Medicine (20 hours)

1. Introduction to biomaterials science (2) (Classification, Surface interaction, Role of Water)
2. Some examples of biomaterials used in medicine (18)

2.2.1        Titanium (artificial prosthesis)

2.2.2        Stainless steel (screw and jigs)

2.2.3        Zirconia (Dental application)

2.2.4        UHMWPE (artificial prosthesis)

2.2.5        PVC (tubing and )

2.2.6        PES (stent)

2.2.7        PCL (Scaffold)

2.2.8        PMMA (intraocular lens)

2.2.9        Fiber reinforced composites (external prosthesis and jigs)

2.2.10     Thermoset Resins (microfluidic)

3. Manufacturing technologies used in medicine (15 hours)

1. Polymer Extrusion and film blowing -> piping, suture and (sacche di sangue) (2)
2. Injection Moulding -> stents and generic medical devices (1)
3. Electrospinning -> scaffolds (3)
4. Metal AM -> artificial prosthesis (3)
5. Polymer AM -> scaffold and Invisalign (6)

4. Laboratory practice (15 hours)
1. Mechanical testing (2) (Testing of a Metallic and Plastic Specimens; DMA and CTE testing)
2. Polymer Additive Manufacturing (7)
3. Polymer extrusion (1)
4. Composite Manufacturing (4)
5. Electrospinning (1)

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students can request a meeting in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measure, according to the educational goals and specific needs. In this case, it is advisable to contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) professor of the Department where the Degree Course is included.

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students can request a meeting in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measure, according to the educational goals and specific needs. In this case, it is advisable to contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) professor of the Department where the Degree Course is included

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