Wyatt
Technology Corporation, the world leader in absolute macromolecular
characterization instrumentation and software, today announced that Professor
Judit E. Puskas at the University of Akron has developed a system using its
instrumentation that will also help to solve a prevalent and particularly
controversial material science challenge. The researchers are employing the
multi detector system to develop alternative materials to silicone breast
implants. This development will be welcomed by many as faulty Poly Implant
Prothèse (PIP) implants are causing global concern about implant safety, and as
a result, alternative materials are sought.
The recent
scandal concerning French-made PIP implants concerns thousands of women across
65 countries with 300,000 potentially harmful implants sold over the last 12
years. It was revealed that these implants contained industrial silicone,
intended for use in mattresses, rather than medical-grade silicone fillers.
Currently,
only silicon rubber-based silica nanocomposite implants are available in the
United States, and are subject to a number of issues including capsular
contracture, gel bleed, implant rupture and infection. These prevalent issues
have led to the need for material scientists and medical doctors to work
together to develop alternative materials based on new nanotechnology.
The
University of Akron's Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is
employing macromolecular engineering to precision synthesize biocompatible
polymers in order to produce high performance bionanocomposites for use as
silicone alternatives. Professor Puskas combined six Stryagel columns with a
Wyatt Technology ViscoStar viscometer, a Wyatt Optilab Refractive Index
detector, a Wyatt DAWN 18-angle light scattering (MALS) detector as well as a
Wyatt quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS) detector to provide accurate
characterization of the separated macromolecules.
Traditionally,
a simpler system would have been employed that is commonly used with column
calibration to polymer standards, or 3-angle light scattering. The system using
Wyatt instrumentation delivers the accurate and reproducible results needed by
when performing these cutting-edge polymer studies.
"The
Wyatt instruments are outstanding," comments Professor Puskas. "The 18-angle
system provides better quality than any alternatives on the market, providing
more accurate and precise data. Other cheaper instruments have come onto the
market, but in my experience Wyatt's instruments far exceed the competition in
terms of quality and service."
The research
group is part of an interdisciplinary group which is pursuing research aimed at
reducing/eliminating capsular contracture associated with breast implants to
help women in need. Material science and nanotechnology are a key element of
this, supported by top class instrumentation.
For more information on Wyatt Technology's
instruments, please visit
www.wyatt.com or
email
info@wyatt.com
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