title: Preparation of a new nerve guide from a poly(L-lactide-co-6-caprolactone).
abstract: A copolymer of L-lactide and 6-caprolactone (50:50, w/w) was synthesized and characterized. The thermal behaviour of this material did not show any crystallinity for several months; only after more than 1 yr of aging at room temperature and, particularly, in the in vitro degradation tests did it partially crystallize. The values of tensile strength, percent elongation at break and elastic modulus were, respectively, 25 MPa, 490% and 3 MPa. Transparent, elastic nerve guides having inner diameter of 1.3 mm and wall thickness of 175 microns were prepared.
authors.affiliation: Novamont SpA, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perego
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cella
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Aldini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giardino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003460:Crystallization; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011108:Polymers; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D051381:Rats; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C062968:lactide-caprolactone copolymer