Polylactide/dextran graft co-polymers for biomaterial and tissue engineering applications
AssigneeClemson University
InventorsMatthew R. Gevaert, Stephen Massia
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Abstract
A biocompatible, biodegradable, copolymer is prepared from cross-linking a polylactic acid with a polysaccharide such as dextran. The resulting copolymer is a biodegradable hydrogel or solid having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties and provides for a mechanism in which biologically active agents may be covalently bonded to the dextran prior to incorporation of the dextran into a copolymer, and the subsequent release of the biologically active agents as the copolymer degrades.
Claims14
A biocompatible, biodegradable, copolymer comprising a first backbone molecule of PLA bonded via a cross-linking reaction to a second backbone molecule of dextran wherein said dextran provides multiple hydroxyl functionalities.
A process of delivering a therapeutic agent to a patient comprising:
- providing a first polymer of PLA;
- providing a second polymer of a polysaccharide;
- covalently bonding at least one therapeutic agent to the second polymer;
- cross linking the first polymer to the second polymer, thereby forming a copolymer;
- introducing the copolymer to a patient;
- and,
- releasing within said patient the at least one therapeutic agent from the second copolymer.
A biocompatible, biodegradable, copolymer tissue support consisting essentially of a first backbone molecule of PLA cross linked to a second backbone molecule of dextran.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.