A preliminary report on the biocompatibility of photopolymerizable semi-interpenetrating anhydride networks

Biomaterials. 2004 Feb;25(4):715-21. doi: 10.1016/s0142-9612(03)00563-5.

Abstract

A new family of poly(anhydrides) (PA) has been developed which can be cured photochemically to produce degradable networks. These degradable anhydride networks may be useful in orthopaedics as bone cements and as matrices for drug delivery. This system, which is a semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN), has been evaluated for biocompatibility in subcutaneous tissue in rats and appears to undergo degradation primarily by surface erosion. The inflammatory response to the semi-IPN implants was minimal at both short (3 and 6 weeks) and long (28 weeks) time points and the fibrotic response was largely absent throughout the duration of this study. Furthermore, the OrthoCure implant material integrated well with the surrounding tissue and was invaded with vascularized connective tissue. For reference, linear PA controls were tested and showed a foreign body response culminating in the formation of relatively avascular fibrous capsule several cell layers thick, which became thicker over time, a response similar to what is typically observed in FDA approved implantable polymeric device systems.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorbable Implants*
  • Anhydrides / chemical synthesis
  • Anhydrides / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / adverse effects*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemical synthesis
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Connective Tissue / pathology*
  • Connective Tissue / surgery
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / etiology*
  • Foreign-Body Reaction / pathology*
  • Materials Testing / methods*
  • Photochemistry / methods
  • Pilot Projects
  • Porosity
  • Rats

Substances

  • Anhydrides
  • Biocompatible Materials