Polyurethane scaffold formation via a combination of salt leaching and thermally induced phase separation.

Porous scaffolds have been made from two polyurethanes based on thermally induced phase separation of polymer dissolved in a DMSO/water mixture in combination with salt leaching. It is possible to obtain very porous foams with a very high interconnectivity. A major advantage of this method is that variables like porosity, pore size, and interconnectivity can be independently adjusted with the absence of toxic materials in the production process.

Uncatalyzed synthesis, thermal and mechanical properties of polyurethanes based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) and 1,4-butane diisocyanate with uniform hard segment.

Polyurethanes based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) (750-2800 g/mol) and 1,4-butane diisocyanate (BDI) with different soft segment lengths and constant uniform hard segment length were synthesized in absence of catalysts for the production of a degradable meniscus scaffold. First the polyesterdiols were endcapped with BDI yielding a macrodiisocyanate with a minimal amount of side reactions and a functionality of 2.0.

Design, synthesis and properties of a degradable polyurethane scaffold for meniscus regeneration.

Longitudinal lesions in menisci are among the most frequent orthopedic problems of the knee. Repair by simple techniques is only limited to the vascular part of the meniscus. For repair of the avascular part of the meniscus a scaffold, which will assist the body in the formation of new meniscus cell tissue, might be applicable.

Hydrogels for an accommodating intraocular lens. An explorative study.

In this study it was investigated whether hydrogels could be used for an accommodating lens. The requirements of such a hydrogels are a low modulus, high refractive index, transparency, and strength. Since conventional hydrogels do not possess this combination of properties, a novel preparation method and new polymers are introduced.