Abstract:
The present application discloses biodegradable polymers, to porous and other materials comprising such polymers, and to various medical uses of such materials, including use as a scaffold for supporting cell adhesion or the in-growth for regeneration of tissue. The polymer is of the formula A-O—(CHR1CHR2O)n—B wherein A is a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) residue, the molar ratio of (i) lactide units [—CH(CH3)—COO—] and (ii) glycolide units [—CH2—COO—] in the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) residue being in the range of 80:20 to 10:90, B is either a poly(lactide-co-glycolide) residue or hydrogen, C1-6-alkyl or hydroxy protecting groups, one of R1 and R2 is hydrogen or methyl, and the other is hydrogen, n is 10-1000, the molar ratio of (iii) polyalkylene glycol units [—(CHR1CHR2O)—] to the combined amount of (i) lactide units and (ii) glycolide units in the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) residue(s) is at the most 14:86, and the molecular weight of the copolymer is at least 20,000 g/mol.
Abstract:
Methods for making polymer particles in gel form via an emulsion and/or suspension polymerization are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method can include reacting a first reaction mixture comprising a phenolic monomer, an aldehyde monomer, and a first catalyst to produce a prepolymer. The method can also include combining the prepolymer with a carrier fluid and a second catalyst to produce a second reaction mixture. The second catalyst can include a dicarboxylic acid, an anhydride, a dihydroxybenzene, or any mixture thereof. The method can also include polymerizing the prepolymer to form polymer particles in gel form.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to cellulose-based materials comprising nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) from native cellulose. exhibiting highly superior properties as compared to other cellulose-based materials, a method for preparing such cellulose-based material, and uses thereof are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A process for forming polymer particles with aligned pores and controlled narrow particle size distribution, including: a) forming an oil phase by dissolving a polymeric binder in a solvent; b) dispersing the oil phase into a water phase containing a controlled amount of particulate stabilizer and forming an oil-in-water emulsion of controlled narrow dispersed oil phase droplet size distribution; c) freezing the emulsion to freeze solvent in the oil droplets to form frozen solvent domains within the polymeric binder, and also the water in the continuous water phase; and d) removing the frozen solvent from the polymeric binder and the frozen water in the continuous water phase, thereby forming porous polymer particles of controlled narrow particle size distribution and containing directional aligned non-spherical pore structures. Optionally, the porous particles may contain encapsulated functional ingredients.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a porous epoxy network, especially a porous epoxy membrane. The process according the present invention comprises the steps of: providing a reactant solution comprising an epoxy resin, a solvent and a curing agent; performing a first curing process to transform the reactant solution to a gel; and performing a second curing process to essentially remove the remaining solvent and transform the gel to form a porous epoxy network with open pores; wherein the curing agent is a tertiary amine.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a chitin-glucan copolymer in the form of micrometric particles.The present invention in particular provides a composition containing a chitin-glucan copolymer in the form of micrometric particles for the preparation of cosmetic compositions, and in particular dermatological or dermocosmetic compositions.In particular, the present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for face or body care, such as hydrating, firming or smoothing the skin, and exercising an anti-aging effect, including an anti-wrinkle effect.The purpose of the invention is also to provide a porous material that can for example be used in tissue engineering or cell culture, or that can be used as a material in the cosmetics or pharmaceutical industry.
Abstract:
Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats. The polyhydroxyalkanoates can contain additives, be formed of mixtures of monomers or include pendant groups or modifications in their backbones, or can be chemically modified, all to alter the degradation rates. The polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions also provide favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and degradation times within desirable time frames under physiological conditions.
Abstract:
Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats. The polyhydroxyalkanoates can contain additives, be formed of mixtures of monomers or include pendant groups or modifications in their backbones, or can be chemically modified, all to alter the degradation rates. The polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions also provide favorable mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and degradation times within desirable time frames under physiological conditions.
Abstract:
Biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions with controlled degradation rates have been developed. In one embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoates contain additives to alter the degradation rates. In another embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoates are formed of mixtures of monomers or include pendant groups or modifications in their backbones to alter their degradation rates. In still another embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoates are chemically modified. Methods for manufacturing the devices which increase porosity or exposed surface area can be used to alter degradability. For example, as demonstrated by the examples, porous polyhydroxyalkanoates can be made using methods that creates pores, voids, or interstitial spacing, such as an emulsion or spray drying technique, or which incorporate leachable or lyophilizable particles within the polymer. Examples describe poly(4HB) compositions including foams, coatings, meshes, and microparticles. As demonstrated by the examples, these polyhydroxyalkanoate compositions have extremely favorable mechanical properties, as well as are biocompatible and degrade within desirable time frames under physiological conditions. These polyhydroxyalkanoate materials provide a wider range of polyhydroxyalkanoate degradation rates than are currently available. Methods for processing these materials, particularly for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic applications, or into devices which can be implanted or injected, are also described.