A model for hydrolytic degradation and erosion of biodegradable polymers

Abstract

In order to design bioresorbable implants, it is important to have a mathematical model to predict polymer degradation and corresponding drug release. However, very different behaviours of polymer degradation have been observed and there is no single model that can capture all these behaviours. For the first time, the model presented in this paper is capable of capture all these observed behaviours by switching on and off different underlying mechanisms. Unlike the existing reaction-diffusion models, the model presented here can follow the degradation and drug release all the way to the full disappearance of an implant.

Characterization and Evaluation of Controlled Antimicrobial Release from Petrochemical (PU) and Biodegradable (PHB) Packaging

“…In addition, the effects of a number of physical and chemical factors should be taken into account. The most important factors are the sorption of water as the main hydrolytic agent [54,55,56]; the degradation of chains [57,58] and, as a consequence, a decrease in polymer molecular weight [58]; possible surface erosion of the polymer [59]; and the evolution of mechanical and thermal characteristics [60,61]. Complementary difficulty in description of these systems is the multilevel structure of the polymer matrix (molecular, nano-structural, crystalline, and microstructural levels) [62].…”

Degradation of Polymer Films on Surfaces: A Model Study with Poly(sebacic anhydride)

“…After degradation in buffer for a defined time, the mass loss of the dried samples was determined and plotted versus time ( Figure ). The error bars were calculated using standard error propagation rules and are based on the methodic inaccuracy of the weighing process, which was estimated as 0.5 mg (calculations are given in Section S8, Supporting Information) …”

Synthesis of Functional Polymer Particles from Morita–Baylis–Hillman Polymerization

“…[1][2][3][4] For medical use, a biomaterial should ideally be nontoxic, have favorable thermal and mechanical properties, be able to hold a payload (when used for drug delivery purposes), (bio) degrade under controlled conditions to non-harmful fragments, and be chemically versatile. [5][6][7] Many of these conditions are met by well-known materials such as poly(lactic acid) or related polymers. Yet, while usually relatively easy to obtain, they mostly suffer from chemical inertness, and hence are difficult to manipulate chemically.…”

“…While a broad range of polymerizations has been applied for this purpose, there is until today a need for novel tunable materials . For medical use, a biomaterial should ideally be non‐toxic, have favorable thermal and mechanical properties, be able to hold a payload (when used for drug delivery purposes), (bio)degrade under controlled conditions to non‐harmful fragments, and be chemically versatile . Many of these conditions are met by well‐known materials such as poly(lactic acid) or related polymers.…”