Amino acid-based thermoplastic polyurethanes for soft tissue repair

Abstract

Soft tissues, such as cartilage and ligaments, play a vital role in the human body, enabling movement and supporting internal organs. However, effectively repairing or replacing damaged soft tissues remains a significant challenge due to the limitations of current biomaterials. These materials often fail to replicate the intricate structure and unique properties of natural tissues. This project aims to address this challenge by developing novel elastomers and elastomer nanocomposites that closely mimic the mechanical behaviour of load-bearing soft tissues. These innovative materials will be designed to be biocompatible and biodegradable, allowing for controlled integration and eventual replacement by regenerated tissue. Through a comprehensive characterisation process the properties and behaviours of these materials will be assessed. Overall, the new amino acid-based thermoplastic polyurethanes and nanocomposites developed in this thesis demonstrated potential in soft tissue applications across a range of tissue types. Beyond tissue regeneration, these materials hold promise for various biomedical applications, including drug delivery and minimally invasive medical devices.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2030.

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Supervisor	Biqiong Chen (Supervisor) & Alex Lennon (Supervisor)