Medical Polymers Research

The MPRI forum was established in 2002 to complement the work being undertaken in the Polymer Processing Research Centre to concentrate on the development of new polymeric materials, products and processes for the medical devices and drug delivery industries.

Within the MPRI forum, academics from across the chemical, physicochemical, engineering and pharmaceutical disciplines draw upon their vast world class experience to provide integrated solutions to clients' needs in the field of medical polymer engineering. 

The academic partners have the background, experience and access to state-of-the-art facilities, including those in Polymer Processing Research Centre, to conduct fundamental and applied research on polymeric biomaterials, passive and active (drug delivery) medical devices and medical/pharmaceutical polymeric packaging materials, integrating innovative research from design, through processing to testing and evaluation.

Together with an understanding of the relevant clinical and regulatory issues associated with the medical devices/pharmaceutical industry interface, research specialties include polymer processing, biomaterials science, drug delivery systems design and assessment, medical packaging, medical devices design, polymeric prostheses, infection and related clinical aspects of device usage. 

Materials and devices currently being investigated include high-performance polymeric biomaterials, bioactive materials, combination drug-implant systems, artificial joint implants, tissue engineered scaffolds, catheters and stents, medical adhesives, dental materials, device surface coatings and modifications. The research involves studies on polymer morphology and microstructure, blend rheology, processing, diffusion, biocompatibility, physical, thermal and chemical properties, and stress and failure analysis. Clinical applications include urology, orthopaedics, dental surgery, rehabilitation engineering, sterilisation and advanced polymeric packaging systems.