Polymeric Medical Sutures: An Exploration of Polymers and Green Chemistry

Abstract

With new K−12 national science standards emerging, there is an increased need for experiments that integrate engineering into the context of society. Here we describe a chemistry experiment that combines science and engineering principles while introducing basic polymer and green chemistry concepts. Using medical sutures as a platform for investigating polymers, students explore the physical and mechanical properties of threads drawn from poly(ε-caprolactone) samples of different molecular masses and actual purchased absorbable and nonabsorbable medical sutures. An inquiry-based part of the experiment tasks students with designing their own experiment to probe the potential of melt blending poly(ε-caprolactone) with commercially available polylactide products in order to modify the properties of the "sutures" drawn. Through these lessons students gain an appreciation for the importance of plastics in our society and how scientists are working to develop more sustainable alternatives. Overall, this laboratory experiment provides a feasible, versatile, sophisticated laboratory experience that engages students in a relatable topic and meets many of the Next Generation Science Standards.

Facilitating active learning within green chemistry

“…In a high school setting, an experiment to explore the nature of polymers, their application in society and how green chemistry principles can be applied by scientists to design more sustainable materials has been developed by Knutson et al [19]. Students test the physical and mechanical properties of poly(ε-caprolactone) as a model for medical sutures and then design their own experiment to test the potential for greening sutures by blending with polylactic acid and testing how the properties of the 'suture' are modified.…”

Biologically Derived Gels for the Cleaning of Historical and Artistic Metal Heritage

“…Biopolymers appear as valid candidates to replace petrochemical counterparts; however, the generally high cost of production draws some boundaries for wider diffusion. They are broadly employed for biomedical applications (e.g., suture threads [111], drug carriers [112]) because of their natural deterioration and human-compatibility, without any side effects. However, they have also spread in fields ranging from food industry to waste management, passing through cosmetics and household products [113][114][115][116][117].…”

Evaluating Feedstocks, Processes, and Products in the Teaching Laboratory: A Framework for Students To Use Metrics to Design Greener Chemistry Experiments

“…Time constrains most lab instructors from any demonstration of biodegradation. Offering a step in the right direction, Jane Wissinger's laboratory activity on the production of polymeric medical sutures from polycapralactone 100 encourages students to think along these lines by watching a piece of this plastic dissolve/degrade in an aqueous base/alcohol solution. Short of accelerated degradation demonstrations like this, 159 the chemical education literature offers very little in the way of materials biodegradation experiments.…”