Durable Heart Diaphragm from Ordered Polymer Films.

摘要

The purpose of this Phase I SBIR study was to investigate the feasibility of using the ordered polymer-p-phenylene benzobisthiazole (PBZT) in high flex life applications. Applications of particular interest include biomedical applications such as the artificial heart or prosthetic heart valves. An accelerated flex life test rig based on a vibration principle was developed that was capable of subjecting film samples to over 3 million flexural cycles per 24 hr period. Film samples were prepared of neat PBZT and of PBZT in an interpenetrating network (IPN) with silicone and with polyurethane. The IPN with polyurethane was also subjected to biocompatibility screening tests. The results demonstrated the capability of the accelerated life test rig to provide high cycle rate and adequate flexure to fatigue the film samples. The test was run for 100 million cycles. Information obtained indicated that flex life of PBZT was improved by forming an IPN with a polyurethane. Biocompatibility screening tests demonstrated feasibility of using the material in contact with blood. The study indicated there is a potential for a high flex life material to be made from ordered polymers formed in an IPN with polyurethane. Since other ordered polymers of same family have an even greater potential for high flex life, the results of this study suggest that a superior material for high flex life applications may be achieved. (aw)