Biocompatible Polymers and PDMS in BioMEMS

Biocompatible polymers are polymeric materials that can perform their intended function in contact with biological tissues, cells or fluids without causing unacceptable adverse biological responses.

Important properties of PDMS

• Biocompatibility for many laboratory and diagnostic applications.
• Optical transparency, useful for microscopy.
• Flexible and elastomeric.
• Easy replication by soft lithography.
• Low cost and rapid prototyping.
• Good gas permeability, especially oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Low surface energy and easy molding.
• Can be bonded to glass or other substrates after surface treatment.

Applications

1. Microfluidic channels.
2. Cell culture and cell manipulation platforms.
3. Lab-on-Chip devices.
4. Drug delivery research.
5. Micropumps and valves.
6. Diagnostic and biological analysis devices.

Limitation

PDMS can absorb some small hydrophobic molecules and its surface properties can change with treatment, so material selection must match the biomedical application.