Molecular design and evaluation of biodegradable polymers using a statistical approach

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in medicine Vol. 24; no. 11; pp. 2529 - 2535
• Main Authors: Lewitus, Dan Y., Rios, Fabian, Rojas, Ramiro, Kohn, Joachim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.11.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Architecture; Biocompatible Materials; Biodegradation; Biological and medical sciences; Biomaterials; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedical materials; Bone; Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Combinatorial; Composites; Copolymers; Degradation; Design engineering; Drug delivery systems; Exact sciences and technology; Glass; High-Throughput; Hydrolytic Degradation; In-Vitro; Materials Science; Mathematical models; Medical sciences; Models, Statistical; Molecular structure; Molecular Weight; Natural Materials; Physicochemistry of polymers; Poly(Ethylene Glycol); Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Polymers - chemistry; Regenerative Medicine/Tissue Engineering; Surfaces and Interfaces; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technologies; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Terpolymers; Thin Films; Tissue engineering; Tyrosine-Derived Polycarbonates; Initial Molecular Weight; Increase Degradation Rate; Pendent Chain; Molecular Weight Loss; Glass Transition Temperature; Design; Degradation; Thermal properties; Terpolymer; Glass transition temperature; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 0957-4530; 1573-4838; 1573-4838
• DOI: 10.1007/s10856-013-5008-0

The challenging paradigm of bioresorbable polymers, whether in drug delivery or tissue engineering, states that a fine-tuning of the interplay between polymer properties (e.g., thermal, degradation), and the degree of cell/tissue replacement and remodeling is required. In this paper we describe how changes in the molecular architecture of a series of terpolymers allow for the design of polymers with varying glass transition temperatures and degradation rates. The effect of each component in the terpolymers is quantified via design of experiment (DoE) analysis. A linear relationship between terpolymer components and resulting T g (ranging from 34 to 86 °C) was demonstrated. These findings were further supported with mass-per-flexible-bond analysis. The effect of terpolymer composition on the in vitro degradation of these polymers revealed molecular weight loss ranging from 20 to 60 % within the first 24 h. DoE modeling further illustrated the linear (but reciprocal) relationship between structure elements and degradation for these polymers. Thus, we describe a simple technique to provide insight into the structure property relationship of degradable polymers, specifically applied using a new family of tyrosine-derived polycarbonates, allowing for optimal design of materials for specific applications.