# US 9,040,072 B2 · Use of coupling agents to improve the interface in absorbable polymer composites

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,040,072 B2
- Document ID: US9040072B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/952,218
- Filed: 2007-12-07
- Published: 2009-06-11
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2007-12-07
- Assignees: Ethicon, Inc.
- Applicants: Yue Zhou; Kevin Cooper; Yufu Li; Zhigang Li
- Inventors: Yue Zhou; Kevin Cooper; Yufu Li; Zhigang Li
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040072B2

## CPC

- C08K 9/08: Ingredients agglomerated by treatment with a binding agent
- C08L 67/02: Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds (C08L67/06 takes precedence)
- C08L 67/04: Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones (C08L67/06 takes precedence)
- C08L 69/00: Compositions of polycarbonates; Compositions of derivatives of polycarbonates
- C08L 23/08: Copolymers of ethene (C08L23/16 takes precedence)
- C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09)
- C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06)

## Abstract

A composite having a poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) coupling agent, a filler, and a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer matrix is disclosed. The composites are useful for biomedical applications such as, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and implantable medical devices.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A composite comprising:
a beta-tricalcium phosphate filler comprising coated particles, each particle having an outer surface, and a copolymer of poly (lactic acid);
a coating comprising a 20:80 mole: mole poly (ethylene-co-acrylic) coupling agent, said coating deposited on the outer surface of the particles; and,
a poly (glycolic acid) polymer matrix.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1 wherein the 20:80 moles: mole poly (ethylene-co-acrylic acid) coupling agent comprises a coating on the beta-tricalcium phosphate filler.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The composite of claim 1 wherein the copolymer of poly (lactic acid) and poly (glycolic acid) comprises about 70:30 to about 99:1 mole: mole poly (lactic acid): poly (glycolic acid).

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The composite of claim 3 wherein the copolymer of poly (lactic acid) and poly (glycolic acid) comprises about 85:15 moles: mole poly (lactic acid): poly (glycolic acid).

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The composite of claim 4 wherein the polymer matrix comprises about 70 to about 99 wt % of the total weight of the composite.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The composite of claim 5 wherein the polymer matrix comprises about 90 to about 99 wt % of the total weight of the composite.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The composite of claim 6 wherein the polymer matrix comprises about 95 wt % of the total weight of the composite.

### Claim 8

A composite comprising:
a beta-tricalcium phosphate filler comprising coated particles, each particle having an outer surface; and,
a coating comprising a poly (ethylene-co-acrylic) coupling agent, said coating deposited on the outer surface of the particles; and,
a copolymer of poly (lactic acid) and poly (glycolic acid) polymer matrix wherein the polymer matrix comprises about 95 wt % of the total weight of the composite.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The composite of claim 8 further comprising a radio opaque material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The composite of claim 8 further comprising a therapeutic agent.

### Claim 11

A medical device, comprising:
a composite, said composite comprising:
a beta-tricalcium phosphate filler comprising coated particles, each particle having an outer surface, and a polymer of poly (lactic acid);
a coating comprising a 20:80 mole: mole poly (ethylene-co-acrylic) coupling agent, said coating deposited on the outer surface of the particles; and,
a poly (glycolic acid) polymer matrix.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A method of making the composite of claim 1 comprising:
dissolving a poly (ethylene-co-acrylic acid) coupling agent in an organic solvent;
adding beta-tricalcium phosphate filler to the solvent to provide a slurry, said filler comprising particles, each particle having a surface:
mixing the slurry to provide a coating of the coupling agent on at least part of each surface of each particle of the filler;
isolating the poly (ethylene-co-acrylic acid) coated beta-tricalcium phosphate filler;
drying the poly (ethylene-co-acrylic acid) coated beta-tricalcium phosphate filler; and
compounding the poly (ethylene-co-acrylic acid) coated beta-tricalcium phosphate filler with a poly(glycolic acid) polymer matrix.