Poly(glycerol sebacate) - A Novel Biodegradable Elastomer for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have significant potential in biotechnology and bioengineering. However, for some applications, they are limited by their inferior mechanical properties and unsatisfactory compatibility with cells and tissues. A strong, biodegradable, and biocompatible elastomer could be useful for fields such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and in vivo sensing 1,2. We designed, synthesized, and characterized a tough biodegradablc elastomer from biocompatible monomers. This elastomer forms a covalently crosslinked three-dimensional network of random coils with hydroxyl groups attached to its backbone. Both crosslinking and the hydrogen bonding interactions between the hydroxyl groups likely contributes to the unique properties of the elastomer. In vitro and in vivo studies show the polymer has good biocompatibility. Subcutaneous (SC) polymer implants are absorbed completely within 60 days with restoration of the implantation sites to their normal architecture.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADP014423

Entities

People

  • Barbara J. Sheppard
  • Robert S. Langer, Jr.
  • Yadong Wang

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cells
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Degradation
  • Engineering
  • Glycerols
  • Hydrophilic Properties
  • Mass Transfer
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Physical Properties
  • Polymers
  • Standards
  • Stress Strain Relations
  • Stresses
  • Sugar Alcohols
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Tissues

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Polymer Science and Technology

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology