Biochemical engineering materials screening and monitoring

This work was motivated by the need for a systematic compatibility screen for materials of interest for heart assist devices. A practical polymer screening and monitoring program for biochemical engineering materials was developed. Initial emphasis was placed on screening to measure degradation to low molecular weight, water miscible moieties over simulated in vivo exposure. Infrared spectrographic analysis of the simulated body fluid showed that the level of organic moiety corresponds to general clinical experience. Further confirmation of the technique came from evaluation of control polymers from The University of Texas Drug Research Laboratory. Correlation of results with cell culture viability in the presence of the pseudo body fluid is being carried out.