Design and performance of poly(HPMA) hydrogels containing symmetrical biodegradable crosslinkers composed of oligo-lactate and oligo-glycolate esters

The synthesis and testing of the first symmetrical based on vinylic oligomers of α-hydroxy acids are described. Biodegradable gel networks with chemically defined crosslinks were made and studied and were shown to degrade at a defined rate in response to the environment in which they are bathed. The degradation rate of gels composed of the crosslinkers conform to the known order of importance of steric and electronic effects in ester hydrolysis, as well as the concentration of acid or base. The advantages of the crosslinkers over related technologies are discussed. The oligomers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Duke Scholars

Author David Needham Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...