Photo-crosslinked poly(epsilon-caprolactone fumarate) networks for guided peripheral nerve regeneration: material properties and preliminary biological evaluations.

In an effort to achieve suitable biomaterials for peripheral nerve regeneration, we present a material design strategy of combining a crystallite-based physical network and a crosslink-based chemical network. Biodegradable polymer disks and conduits have been fabricated by photo-crosslinking three poly(epsilon-caprolactone fumarate)s (PCLF530, PCLF1250, and PCLF2000), which were synthesized from the precursor poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) diols with nominal molecular weights of 530, 1250, and 2000 g mol(-1), respectively. Thermal properties such as glass transition temperature (T(g)), melting temperature (T(m)), and crystallinity of photo-crosslinked PCLFs were examined and correlated with their rheological and mechanical properties.

Photo-Crosslinked Poly(ε-caprolactone fumarate) Networks: Roles of Crystallinity and Crosslinking Density in Determining Mechanical Properties.

We present a material design strategy of combining crystallinity and crosslinking to control the mechanical properties of polymeric biomaterials. Three polycaprolactone fumarates (PCLF530, PCLF1250, and PCLF2000) synthesized from the precursor polycaprolactone (PCL) diols with nominal molecular weights of 530, 1250, and 2000 g.mol(-1), respectively, were employed to fabricate polymer networks via photo-crosslinking process.

Synthesis, material properties, and biocompatibility of a novel self-cross-linkable poly(caprolactone fumarate) as an injectable tissue engineering scaffold.

A novel self-cross-linkable and biodegradable macromer, poly(caprolactone fumarate) (PCLF), has been developed for guided bone regeneration. This macromer is a copolymer of fumaryl chloride, which contains double bonds for in-situ cross-linking, and poly(epsilon-caprolactone), which has a flexible chain to facilitate self-cross-linkability. PCLF was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography.

Synthesis and characterizations of biodegradable and crosslinkable poly(epsilon-caprolactone fumarate), poly(ethylene glycol fumarate), and their amphiphilic copolymer.

A series of self-crosslinkable and biodegradable polymers, poly(caprolactone fumarate) (PCLF), poly(ethylene glycol fumarate) (PEGF), and their copolymer PEGF-co-PCLF, has been developed for tissue engineering applications using a novel synthesis method. The current method employs potassium carbonate (K2CO3), other than the previously reported triethylamine, as the proton scavenger. The new synthetic route is more convenient and less time-consuming to carry out, and the synthesized polymers have a much lighter color, which renders them more suitable for self-crosslinking via photo-initiation.