Abstract: A composition, prepolymer and method to produce a polymer based on biodegradable or essentially renewable crude materials, which can be crosslinked by free radicals. The composition is based on polyesters that are functionalized with unsaturated monomer units, in a way that unsaturated groups can be located along the polymer main chain as well as at the ends of the prepolymer. In connection to the product production, the prepolymer is exposed to free radicals that leads to network formation. The composition of the crosslinked biopolymer can be adjusted from a stiff engineering material to an elastic rubbery material. The new biopolymer can be used in composite materials, dispersions, barrier materials, rubbery materials, biomedical applications, and the like.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymers formed from biodegradable polyester-based prepolymers, to which ring-structured anhydrides which have different hydrophobicities have been connected, and which are either coupled to form linear thermoplastic polyester anhydrides or cross-linked to form network-structured polyester anhydrides. It is possible to adjust widely the degradation rate and mechanism of the polymers and thus they can be used, for example, in the controlled dosing of pharmaceutical ingredients, for tissue technological applications, in surgery and in bioactive composites.

Abstract: In a heterophasic polymer composition according to the invention the polymer is a biopolymer. Typically it is a composite of a polyester or copolyester consisting substantially of lactic acid, and an another phase that is a reinforcing agent or filler or another layered structure or surface. By using the composition according to the invention and preparation method of the invention especially good mechanical properties can be achieved for these biopolymer composites through producing very high interfacial adhesions between the phases.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is a biodegradable polymer network and methods to make it. The polymer network consists of a cross-linked polyester resin, which is composed of hydroxy acid units, structural units derived from an unsaturated bifunctional monomer, and structural units derived from a polyol monomer. The polyester resin is produced directly by a polyoon-densation reaction, after which it is cross-linked to a polymer of high molecular weight The polyester can be co-polymerised with a co-monomer increasing flexibility, or be blended with a reactive macromonomer, which adds elasticity and crosslinking density. The prepared polymer network can be especially used to coat continuous or singular objects made of fibrous, porous, biomass based or inorganic materials, or as a blending component in these, or used to impregnate these in order to induce water durability, barrier properties, elasticity, coherence or mechanical strength.

Abstract: A composite intended for medical use, in particular surgical or therapeutic use, characterized in that it comprises a mixture of a thermoplastic component plasticizable within the temperature range −10° . . . +100° C., which is substantially made up of hydroxy acids and structural units derived from hydroxy acid derivatives and the molar mass of which is within the range 30,000-1,000,000 g/mol, and which degrades in the body typically within a period ranging from a few days to several years, and which in its solid state is a mechanically strong plastic or rubbery material, and a bioactive component, which is a bioactive glass or a bioactive xerogel, such that the plasticized thermoplastic component remains moldable for a certain period even after the temperature of the composite has been lowered to a temperature which is considerably lower than the setting temperature of said thermoplastic component.

Abstract: A plasticizable implant material for injection into the human body. The implant material is prepared through simultaneous selection of the comonomer ratio of &egr;-caprolactone and lactide and production parameters to provide a (co)polymer having an average molecular weight and caprolactone concentration that produces a phase transition temperature from solid to fluid within a temperature range of 37-55° C., preferably within the range of 43-48° C. When the temperature of the implant material is regulated to be within said range it can easily be transported to and placed at its target in the body by using a fluid transport and dosing device like a syringe or a heated press.