Abstract: Higher diamondoid derivatives capable of taking part in polymerization reactions are disclosed as well as intermediates to these derivatives, polymers formed from these derivatives and methods for preparing the polymers.

Abstract: Ketal lactones of and methods for making such ketal lactones are disclosed. Also described are methods for making isolated cis- and trans-stereoisomers of hydroxyester ketals of oxocarboxylic acids and polymers having ketal units of such stereoisomers within the polymer backbone.

Abstract: Disclosed are random copoly(phosphonate carbonate)s with the high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution exhibiting a superior combination of properties compared to prior art.

Abstract: A film comprising a polylactic acid and polypropylene blend having a haze of from about 10% to about 95% and a gloss 45° of from about 50 to about 125. A method of producing an oriented film comprising blending polypropylene and polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend, forming the polymeric blend into a film, and orienting the film. A method of producing an injection molded article comprising blending polypropylene and polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend, injecting the polymeric blend into a mold, and forming the article.

Abstract: A block or graft copolymer including a thermoplastic resin segment and as an aliphatic polyester segment is provided. The copolymer can be used as a compatibilizer for a resin alloy comprising polylactic acid, which can reduce the consumption of petroleum raw materials.

Abstract: The invention aims at providing a polylactic acid composition having specific thermal characteristics and gas barrier properties and at obtaining a polylactic acid composition comprising PLLA and PDLA which composition can form moldings (such as stretched film) excellent in surface smoothness, transparency, heat resistance, and toughness. Specifically, a polylactic acid composition characterized by exhibiting a peak of 30 mJ/mg or above in DSC as determined by cooling at a rate of 10° C./min after the lapse of 10 min at 250° C., preferably a polylactic acid composition characterized by exhibiting a peak (1)/peak (2) ratio of 0.5 or below wherein the peak (1) and peak (2) correspond to a peak of Tm of 150 to 180° C. and a peak of Tm of 200 to 240° C. respectively in DSC as observed in the second heating (namely, re-heating from 0° C. at a rate of 10° C./min which follows the cooling at a rate of 10° C./min conducted after the lapse of 10 min at 250° C.).

Abstract: Coatings for an implantable medical device and a method of fabricating thereof are disclosed, the coatings including block-polymers comprising at least one poly(hydroxyacid) or poly(hydroxy-alkanoate) block, at least one block of a biologically compatible polymer and a linking moiety.

Abstract: Delivery compositions are provided that include two or more active agents, wherein at least one active agent is conjugated to a polymer. The delivery compositions allow for controlled release of multiple active agents, including active agents with varying solubility, charge, and/or molecular weight.

Abstract: An implantable orthopedic medical device is disclosed. The medical devices is formed from a biodegradable polymer stereocomplex comprising a biodegradable polymer including a first enantiomer and a second enantiomer, wherein the implantable medical device initially degrades at a first degradation rate and subsequently degrades at a second degradation rate that is faster than the first degradation rate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polylactic acid composition having specific thermal characteristics and gas barrier properties, and to obtain a molding comprising a polylactic acid composition of PLLA and PDLA capable of forming a polylactic acid stretched film or other molding having superior surface smoothness, transparency, heat resistance and toughness, and the constitution thereof is characterized by being a molding comprising a polylactic acid composition in which the peak in DSC measurement during cooling (at a rate of 10° C./min) after allowing to remain at 250° C. for 10 minutes is 30 mJ/mg or more, and preferably comprising a polylactic acid composition such that, in measurement during the DSC 2nd heating (cooling at a rate of 10° C./min after allowing to remain at 250° C. for 10 minutes followed by reheating from 0° C. at a rate of 10° C./min), the peak ratio (peak 1/peak 2) of the peak when Tm is 150 to 180° C. (peak 1) to the peak when Tm is 200 to 240° C. (peak 2) is 0.

Abstract: A 2K basecoat clearcoat system includes a solvent borne basecoat having a low Tg branched polyester polyol, optionally, a high Tg, high molecular weight thermoplastic resin, and a hardener that includes an isocyanate functional material suitable for crosslinking the polyester polyol, and optional thermoplastic resin. The solvent borne clearcoat composition includes a low Tg linear or branched polyester polyol, at least one other multi-functional polyol, and an isocyanate functional material suitable for crosslinking the polyester and multi-functional polyols.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a coating for a surgical filament including a vinyl lactam polymer and a lactone polymer.

Abstract: A particulate polyglycolic acid resin composition, comprising: a blend of a first particulate polyglycolic acid resin and a second particulate polyglycolic acid resin each having a moisture content of at most 110 ppm and providing a ratio of melt-viscosity (as measured at 270° C. and a shear rate of 121 sec?1; the same as hereinafter) therebetween of above 1 and at most 10. After the polymerization, the first and second particulate polyglycolic acid resins can cause change in properties before the forming (e.g., during storage); or during the forming process. However, by adequately determining the blending ratio between the resins while taking the melt-viscosities thereof into account, it becomes possible to provide a particulate polyglycolic acid resin composition showing a stable melt-formability and suitable as a starting material for various forming processes.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide polylactic acid containing a stereocomplex crystal and having excellent moldability, a high molecular weight, high crystallinity and a high melting point and a process for manufacturing the same. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition comprising the polylactic acid and a molded product of the polylactic acid. The present invention is characterized from polylactic acid having a weight average molecular weight of 80,000 to 500,000 and a melting peak at 195° C. or higher which accounts for 80% or more of the total of melting peaks in the temperature elevation step when measured by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a process for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: High-purity, acetone-soluble, absorbable components of medical devices are designed for optimum interfacing with human blood or the cell lining of a body cavity, and are formed of a crystalline, segmented l-lactide polyaxial copolymer structurally tailored to have certain molecular dimensions, thermal and physicomechanical properties, and solubility characteristics to allow their uses, optimally, as parts of vascular, urological, and post-surgical adhesion prevention devices.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a high intensity radiopaque contrast agent is disclosed. The agent may be coated on or incorporated within bulk materials, which may then be subsequently utilized to fabricate a radiopaque medical device. Primary effects through chemistry include higher radiopaque concentrations per unit weight of the radiopaque element or agent. Secondary effects include selective placement of the radiopaque elements which may further enhance the radiopacity of the device with reduced requirements of the radiopaque agent. Such a radiopaque contrast agent may be produced in various forms such as a dendrimer and/or incorporated as the end groups of polymeric chain. In addition one can incorporate biological and/or pharmaceutical agents in combination with the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are a medical instrument and a medical material each comprising an aliphatic polyester resin composition, which are hardly reduced in strength and impact resistance upon the sterilization by ionizing radiation or have excellent shape-retaining properties after a heat treatment. Specifically, a medical instrument and a medical material both sterilized by ionizing radiation are provided, each of which contains a biodegradable resin and a polycarbodiimide compound in an amount of 0.1 to 10% by weight on the resin. The biodegradable resin is polybutylene succinate, a copolymer of polybutylene succinate, or a mixture of polybutylene succinate and a copolymer of polybutylene succinate with polylactic acid or poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate). A method of producing such medical instrument and medical material is also provided.

Abstract: This invention refers to a novel process for the synthesis of polyethylene imine (PEI)-based pigment dispersants characterized by a “grafting from” approach, allowing the manufacture of solvent based dispersant systems. The polyethylene imine (PEI)-based pigment dispersant can be presented by the formula (I) X-(T)m-P-(T)n-H wherein P is a polyethyleneimine (PEI) back-bone; T is a residue —CO-A-O— wherein A is C2-C12 alkylene optionally substituted with C1-C6 alkyl with the proviso that each linkage between P and T is an amide bond and each linkage between X and T is an ester bond, X is a modifier or terminator residue R—CO— wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkanecarboxylic acids having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms or an unsaturated fatty acid residue or a hydroxycarboxylic residue or a polyester residue obtained from polycondensation of hydroxycarboxylic acids, or an acid terminated polyether; n, m independently are a number from 1 to 100.

Abstract: A film comprising a polylactic acid and polypropylene blend having a haze of from about 10% to about 95% and a gloss 45° of from about 50 to about 125. A method of producing an oriented film comprising blending polypropylene and polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend, forming the polymeric blend into a film, and orienting the film. A method of producing an injection molded article comprising blending polypropylene and polylactic acid to form a polymeric blend, injecting the polymeric blend into a mold, and forming the article.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous formed article having excellent hydrophilicity, which contains a hydrophobic polymer and amphiphilic molecules and has an average fiber diameter of 0.05 to 50 ?m, the amphiphilic molecules segregating to the fiber surface.

Abstract: Bioabsorbable macromer compositions are provided including a polymeric component possessing a lipid segment which enhances the affinity of the macromer composition to targeted tissue. In some embodiments, the polymeric component can be combined with a second component. The resulting bioabsorbable macromer composition can be employed as an adhesive or sealant for medical/surgical uses.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable polylactic acid (PLA) film and a method of its manufacture are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the PLA films exhibit heat-induced shrinkage in the transverse direction with little to no concomitant shrinkage in the machine direction. The films may comprise any grade of PLA polymer, optionally including additives, such as antiblock, slip, plasticizers, viscosity enhancers and combinations thereof. A method of cast and tenner manufacture is disclosed, which includes a temperature conditioning step.

Abstract: A block copolymer includes a hydrophobic block and a hydrophilic block, wherein the hydrophobic block and the hydrophilic block include repeating units derived from ring opening polymerization of one or more cyclic carbonate monomers. The one or more cyclic carbonate monomers are independently selected from compounds of the general formula (II): wherein each Q? and Qa group independently represents a hydrogen, an alkyl group, a halide, a carboxy group, an ester group, an amide group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, or a foregoing Q? or Qa group substituted with a carboxy group or an ester group, at least one Q? and Qa group includes an ester group; each Y independently represents O, S, NH, or NQ?; n is an integer from 0 to 6, wherein when n is 0, carbons labeled 4 and 6 are linked together by a single bond; each Q? group independently represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a foregoing Q? group substituted with a carboxy group, or an ester group.

Abstract: A short term controlled release composition which comprises poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) cross-linked alendronate (PLGA-ALN) is provided. The PLGA-ALN is constructed into 3D scaffolds (PLGA-ALN-3D) with pores size of 150-300 ?m and average porosity of 85%, or microspheres (PLGA-ALN-M) with 50-100 ?m in diameter. The released alendronate concentration is in the range of 5×10?7 M to 5×10?8 M.

Abstract: A bimodal bioabsorbable polymer composition. The composition includes a first amount of a bioabsorbable polymer polymerized so as to have a first molecular weight distribution; a second amount of said bioabsorbable polymer polymerized so as to have a second molecular weight distribution having a weight average molecular weight between about 10,000 to about 50,000 Daltons, the weight average molecular weight ratio of said first molecular weight distribution to said second molecular weight distribution is at least about two to one; wherein a substantially homogeneous blend of said first and second amounts of said bioabsorbable polymer is formed in a ratio of between about 50/50 to about 95/5 weight/weight percent. Also disclosed are a medical device, a method of making a medical device and a method of melt blowing a semi-crystalline polymer blend.

Abstract: Implantable matrices and methods are provided. The matrices are configured to fit at or near a target tissue site, the matrices comprise biodegradable materials and ligands bound to the matrices and are configured to bind receptors and allow influx of cells into the implantable matrices, wherein the ratio of ligands to receptors is from about 1.5 to about 0.5.

Abstract: A urethane resin composition obtained by a method comprising the steps of: melt mixing an isocyanate (B), an antioxidant (C), a release agent (D) and a dispersing agent (E) to obtain a molten mixture, and mixing the molten mixture and a polyol (A): wherein the release agent (D) is a compound represented by the following formula (1): [Chemical Formula 1] R1—COOH??(1) the dispersing agent (E) is a compound represented by the following formula (2) having a weight-average molecular weight Mw of no greater than 16000: and the content of the dispersing agent (E) in the urethane resin composition is 0.1 to 5.0 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention provides the method for producing a polylactic acid resin composition, including steps (1) and (2) step (1): adding the polycarbodiimide cross-linking agent to the polylactic acid resin to cross-link the polylactic acid resin; and step (2): mixing the cross-linked polylactic acid resin prepared in the step (1) with the uncross-linked polylactic acid resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of scaffold materials and/or scaffolds for tissue and/or organ engineering, said method comprising the addition of at least one anchoring unit for a labelling agent, to at least one scaffold material and/or to at least one scaffold.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a polyether, which comprises subjecting an alkylene oxide and the like to ring-opening addition polymerization to an initiator in the presence of a double metal cyanide complex catalyst (DMC catalyst), which can be carried out by use of a DMC catalyst at a low concentration, and accordingly the amount of the DMC catalyst remaining in a polyether to be obtained can be reduced. A process for producing a polyether, which comprises subjecting an alkylene oxide and an oxygen-containing heterocyclic compound other than an alkylene oxide, to ring-opening addition polymerization to an initiator having a hydroxy group in the presence of a DMC catalyst, wherein prior to the ring-opening addition polymerization, the DMC catalyst and the initiator are subjected to mixing treatment at a temperature of from 125° C. to 180° C. under an absolute pressure of at most 0.06 MPa for from 10 minutes to 24 hours.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a polylactic acid block copolymer having high molecular weight, and in lower cost, wherein only a stereo-complex crystal is capable of growing, even when heat melting process is repeated. The present invention relates to a method for producing a polylactic acid block copolymer characterized in that (i) ring-opening polymerization of D-lactide (D component) is carried out in the presence of poly-L-lactic acid (L component), or (ii) ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide (L component) is carried out in the presence of poly-D-lactic acid (D component), and mass ratio of the D component and the L component is the D component/the L component=60/40 to 91/9, or the L component/the D component=60/40 to 91/9.

Abstract: A method of using a fluorinated polymer having a glass transition temperature below 40 C as a contrast agent in 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of a solid object, said solid object comprising said contrast agent. The invention relates to a solid object comprising a structural component and an imaging component, wherein the imaging component is at least one fluorinated polymer. The invention relates to a method for 19F MRI in solid state using a contrast agent comprising a fluorinated polymer as well as a method for in vivo visualizing a scaffold. It further relates to a method for in vivo monitoring the degradation of a solid object in time, wherein the degradation is monitored in time by using 19F MRI to visualize the solid object, and wherein the amount of degradation of the solid object is determined based on the decrease in the visibility of the amount of 19F.

Abstract: A biodegradable packaging film is provided. The film is formed from a blend that contains a thermoplastic starch and polylactic acid. Starch is a relatively inexpensive natural polymer that is also renewable and biodegradable. Polylactic acid is likewise an inexpensive synthetic polymer that is biodegradable and renewable, yet also capable of providing increased tensile strength to the film. Although providing a good combination of biodegradability/renewability and increased tensile strength, the polylactic acid is also relatively rigid and can result in films having a relatively high stiffness (e.g., high modulus of elasticity) and low ductility. While more ductile than polylactic acid, the thermoplastic starch is often difficult to melt process in film forming processes and very sensitive to moisture and water vapor, reducing its ability to be used as a stand alone packaging film.

Abstract: Disclosed are poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) resin compositions comprising poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid), such as polylactic acid, and a polyoxymethylene. Also disclosed are articles such as films, sheets and thermoformed containers comprising the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aliphatic polyester resin composition having excellent hydrolysis resistance, added to an aliphatic polyester resin (A), a reactive monomer (B) (e.g. a monocarbodiimide compound) and a reactive polymer (C) (e.g. a polycarbodiimide compound).

Abstract: A method for producing an aliphatic polyester resin including a melt polymerization step and a subsequent solid phase polymerization step, using a sulfonic acid group-containing compound as a catalyst, wherein the addition amount of the sulfonic acid group-containing compound during melt polymerization is 300 to 3000 ppm with respect to a raw material monomer calculated as sulfur atoms, the content of the sulfonic acid group-containing compound during melt polymerization is 300 to 3000 ppm with respect to a produced polymer calculated as sulfer atoms, and a residual rate of the sulfonic acid group-containing compound after solid phase at polymerization is more than 50.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a polymer composition comprising one of poly-D-lactide and poly-L-lactide bonded to an anionic clay mineral and the other of poly-D-lactide and poly-L-lactide not bonded to the anionic clay mineral. In a preferred embodiment, the anionic clay mineral is a hydrotalcite or a meixnerite. The polylactide composition according to the invention combines a high polymerisation rate with a low amount of contaminants in the system.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to produce a polylactic acid having a high molecular weight such as a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of more than 100,000 from which only a stereocomplex crystal is grown even by repeating melting and crystallization. The present invention is a process of producing a polylactic acid, including the steps of: (i) obtaining a solid by kneading together poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) at a temperature of 160 to 225° C. and crystallizing the kneaded product; and (ii) melt kneading the obtained solid.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a material for producing a bioabsorbable material in which it is easy to remove a metal zinc catalyst from a bioabsorbable polymer such as a polymer of lactide or a polymer of lactide and caprolactone and it is easy to recycle the removed powdery metal zinc catalyst, and to provide a bioabsorbable material produced from the material for producing a bioabsorbable material. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A material for producing a bioabsorbable material including a three-dimensionally shaped metal zinc polymerization catalyst and a bioabsorbable polymer such as a polymer of lactide or a polymer of lactide and caprolactone; and a process for producing a material for producing a bioabsorbable material, characterized in that in the process for producing a bioabsorbable polymer by polymerization, a three-dimensionally shaped metal zinc catalyst is used as a polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: Provided is a polylactic acid resin composition useful as a molding material and a packaging material. The polylactic acid resin composition comprises a resin composition (l) comprising poly-L-lactic acid having an L-isomer content of 90-100 mol % as the main component and a resin composition (d) comprising poly-D-lactic acid having a D-isomer content of 90-100 mol % as the main component, the resin compositions (l) and (d) having been alternately stacked so that each layer has a thickness of 0.01-2.5 ?m. The polylactic acid resin composition has specific thermal properties, can be used at high temperatures even after high-temperature melt molding, and can give molded polylactic acid articles having excellent suitability for various kinds of processing, such as printing, and having excellent transparency, etc. Also provided is a stretched polylactic acid resin film obtained by heating the polylactic acid resin composition to 280° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polylactic acid/polycarbonate resin composition including (A) about 100 parts by weight of a mixed resin including: (a1)) about 10 to about 90 wt % of a polycarbonate resin and (a2) about 10 to about 90 wt % of a polylactic acid resin; (B) about 1 to about 50 parts by weight of a flame retardant based on about 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin; (C) about 1 to about 30 parts by weight of an acryl-based copolymer based on about 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin; and (D) about 1 to about 20 parts by weight of an impact-reinforcing agent based on about 100 parts by weight of the mixed resin.

Abstract: An aromatic polyester resin composition, comprising: a melt-kneaded product of 99-70 weight parts of an aromatic polyester resin and 1-30 wt. parts (providing a total of 100 wt. parts together with the aromatic polyester resin) of a polyglycolic acid resin, wherein the composition is characterized by a transesterification rate CTE (%) of 20-60% determined by formula (1) below based on a peak integration ratio of methylene group in polyglycolic acid appearing at ?4.87 ppm with reference to tetramethylsilane according to 1H-NMR measurement: CTE (%)=(1?I(B)/I(A))×100??(1), wherein I (A): a peak integration ratio of the methylene group of the polyglycolic acid main chain with respect to the alkylene group of the aromatic polyester main chain calculated from the components weight ratio; and I (B): a peak integration ratio of the methylene group of polyglycolic acid main chain to the alkylene group of the aromatic polyester main chain in the resin composition.

Abstract: The invention provides polylactic acid (PLA) films substantially free of plasticizers and methods of manufacturing same by blown film process are provided. PLA films are environmentally degradable and have applications in, at least, packaging and labeling.

Abstract: Compositions comprising anti-fibrotic agent(s) and/or polymeric compositions can be used in various medical applications including the prevention of surgical adhesions, treatment of inflammatory arthritis, treatment of scars and keloids, the treatment of vascular disease, and the prevention of cartilage loss.

Abstract: A multiphasic microfiber for a three-dimensional tissue scaffold and/or cellular support is provided in one aspect that includes at least one biocompatible material. The multiphasic microfiber optionally has a first phase and at least one distinct additional phase and is formed by electrohydrodynamic jetting. Further, such microfibers optionally have one or more biofunctional agents, which may be surface-bound moieties provided in spatial patterns. Multiphasic microfibers formed in accordance with the disclosure may form, in some cases, three-dimensional fiber scaffolds with precisely engineered, micrometer-scaled patterns for cellular contact guidance, which may thus support and/or promote cellular growth, proliferation, differentiation, repair, and/or regeneration for tissue and bioengineering applications.

Abstract: Metal catalyst residues in resins containing polymerized lactic acid units, such as polylactides, are deactivated by treatment with a polymer or copolymer that contain pendant acid groups and pendant ester groups, with an acid-containing PLA resin, or with a polymer or copolymer having at least one acid groups per 250 atomic mass units and which has pendant lactic acid or poly(lactic acid) groups. The deactivating agent is effective at deactivating the catalyst, and has little effect on the optical clarity of the resin.

Abstract: Organic materials which possess outstanding stability to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation comprise as stabilizers at least one compound of the formula (I) wherein the general symbols are as defined in claim 1. The compounds of formula I are especially useful as stabilizers for protecting polymers and lubricants against oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation and as scavengers for oxidized developer in color photographic material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the manufacture of stable lactide particles, more specifically lactide particles which are stable enough to be stored and transported at room temperature and have a quality high enough for use as starting material for polylactic acid. The lactide particles are obtained via a flaking process, comprising the contacting of a continuous flow of molten lactide with a surface on which the lactide solidifies and subsequently is removed from said surface.

Abstract: A process for producing a lactic acid polymer of 15,000 to 50,000 in weight-average molecular weight, the content of polymeric materials having not more than about 5,000 in weight-average molecular weight therein being not more than about 5% by weight, characterized by hydrolyzing a high molecular weight lactic acid polymer, placing the resultant solution comprising the hydrolyzed product under a condition capable of precipitating the objective lactic acid polymer, separating the precipitated lactic acid polymer and collecting them. The lactic acid polymer is useful as a matrix for sustained-release preparations. The sustained-release microcapsule preparation encapsulating a physiologically active substance can fully prevent the initial excessive release of the physiologically active substance from the microcapsules and keep a stable release rate over a long period of time.

Abstract: Plasticization process for lactic acid polymers characterized in that it includes the grinding of the lactic acid polymers, the mixing of said ground and solid state lactic acid polymers, with mixtures of lactic acid oligomers, the subjecting of the mixture to a temperature of between 150° C. and 200° C. and at a pressure of between 1.4 bar and 4 bar, and the making up of the mixture, in a period of time of less than 30 minutes from the moment the lactic acid oligomers come in contact with lactic acid polymers.