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Photopolymerizable degradable polyanhydrides with osteocompatibility

Nature Biotechnology volume 17, pages 156–159 (1999)Cite this article

Abstract

We have developed a new family of photopolymerizable, methacrylated anhydride monomers and oligomers that combine high strength, controlled degradation, and photoprocessibility in a singular system. Networks with degradation times ranging from 1 week to nearly 1 year and that retain up to 90% of their tensile modulus at 40% mass loss are attainable. In vivo studies in rats have shown that these networks possess excellent osteocompatibility. These combined properties could offer many advantages in medical applications ranging from dentistry to orthopedics.

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Figure 1
Figure 2: (A) Three–dimensional polymerization of methacrylated sebacic acid: (♦) surface; (●) 1 mm; (▪) 2 mm; (▴) 5 mm.
Figure 3
Figure 4: Cross–section of the polymer–bone interface 4 days after the in situ formation of the polymer network in the diaphysis of the rat tibia.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the National Institutes of Health for its support of this work through a fellowship and grant to K.S.A. (AR4197) and the National Science Foundation for its support through a grant (BES–9619331) to V.R.S. and R.L. The authors would also like to thank Robert Padera for valuable assistance in the histologic analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 80309, CO

    Kristi S. Anseth

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, 02139, MA

    Venkatram R. Shastri & Robert Langer

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  1. Kristi S. Anseth
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  2. Venkatram R. Shastri
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  3. Robert Langer
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Correspondence to Robert Langer.

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Anseth, K., Shastri, V. & Langer, R. Photopolymerizable degradable polyanhydrides with osteocompatibility. Nat Biotechnol 17, 156–159 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/6152

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