Characteristics of polyurethane-based sustained release membranes for drug delivery

Abstract

This paper is focused on the preparation and physicochemical characterization of two poly(ester ether urethane)s with rifampicin in their matrix and different molar concentrations of urethane groups. The polyurethanes with rifampicin were processed as asymmetrical microporous membranes by a phase inversion method and characterized by attenuated total reflection - Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The influence of the surface morphology in the release of drug compounds was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle, and water uptake. The release of rifampicin depends on the molar concentration of urethane groups and also on the surface morphology of the polyurethane membranes. The antibacterial activity was evaluated with S. Epidermidis RP 62 A and P. Aeruginosa ATCC 1544. Finally, the biocompatibility of the polyurethane membranes was studied with human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) to evaluate the potential biomedical applications. © 2013 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.