A review of photocrosslinked polyanhydrides: in situ forming degradable networks.

Many orthopaedic injuries could benefit from a high-strength and degradable material with good tissue compatibility. In addition, there is a great clinical need for materials which are easily contoured or placed into complex-shaped defects by a surgeon. We have rationally designed a new class of photocrosslinkable polyanhydride monomers which in situ form high-strength and surface eroding networks of complex geometries.

Surface and bulk modifications to photocrosslinked polyanhydrides to control degradation behavior.

A unique class of surface-eroding polyanhydrides was developed and explored for use in medical applications requiring high-strength biomaterials (e.g., orthopedics).

Crosslinked polyanhydrides for use in orthopedic applications: degradation behavior and mechanics.

High-strength, surface-eroding polymers were synthesized from methacrylated anhydride monomers of sebacic acid (MSA) and 1,6-bis(carboxyphenoxy) hexane (MCPH). These multifunctional monomers were photopolymerized using ultraviolet light to produce highly crosslinked polyanhydride networks. Through this approach, the crosslinking density of the resulting polymer network was used to control the final mechanical properties, while the degradation time scale was controlled by the chemical composition of the network.