Semi-degradable poly(β-amino ester) networks with temporally controlled enhancement of mechanical properties.
Biodegradable polymers are clinically used in numerous biomedical applications, and classically show a loss of mechanical properties within weeks of implantation. This work demonstrates a new class of semi-degradable polymers that show an increase in mechanical properties through degradation via a controlled shift in a thermal transition. Semi-degradable polymer networks, poly(β-amino ester)-co-methyl methacrylate, were formed from a low glass transition temperature crosslinker, poly(β-amino ester), and high glass transition temperature monomer, methyl methacrylate, which degraded in a manner dependent upon the crosslinker chemical structure. In vitro and in vivo degradation revealed changes in mechanical behavior due to the degradation of the crosslinker from the polymer network. This novel polymer system demonstrates a strategy to temporally control the mechanical behavior of polymers and to enhance the initial performance of smart biomedical devices.
MedShape, Inc., 1575 Northside Drive NW Suite 440, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA; School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 771 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. Electronic address: david.safranski@medshape.com.
David L
DL
Safranski
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1639 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Daiana
D
Weiss
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1639 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
J Brian
JB
Clark
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1639 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1670 Clairmont Rd, Decatur, GA 30033, USA; W.H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, 313 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
W Robert
WR
Taylor
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 771 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA; Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 801 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.
Ken
K
Gall
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000179:Acrylates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D006244:Hardness; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D044367:Phase Transition; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013814:Thermal Conductivity
D000179:Acrylates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers; C507253:poly(beta-amino ester); C035956:methyl acrylate
Acrylics; Biocompatibility; Biodegradation; Glass transition temperature; Mechanical properties