Fabrication and Characterization of PLA-PGA Orthopedic Implants.
Fabrication methods and property characterization of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), and their copolymers are reviewed. Both of these aliphatic polyesters belong to the a-hydroxy group and biodegrade in a physiological environment to monomeric acids, which are readily processed and excreted from the body. The physical and mechanical characteristics discussed include molecular weight, crystallinity, stress-strain behavior, permeability, and melting/glass transition temperatures. The most common methods of fabricating PLA-PGA materials into medical devices are described.
Agrawal
C M
CM
Department of Orthopedics, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78284-7774.
Niederauer
G G
GG
Athanasiou
K A
KA