Abstract: The invention provides photocrosslinkable, injectable, biodegradable oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) hydrogels made from the photopolymerization of an OPF macromer with UV light and a photoinitiator. Hydrogels with varying mechanical properties and water content can be made with changes in macromer and crosslinking agent concentration in a precursor solution. The biodegradable OPF hydrogels can be injected as a fluid into a bodily defect of any shape, may incorporate various therapeutic agents, e.g., cells and/or growth factors, and may be implanted via minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides photocrosslinkable, injectable, biodegradable oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate) (OPF) hydrogels made from the photopolymerization of an OPF macromer with UV light and a photoinitiator. Hydrogels with varying mechanical properties and water content can be made with changes in macromer and crosslinking agent concentration in a precursor solution. The biodegradable OPF hydrogels can be injected as a fluid into a bodily defect of any shape, may incorporate various therapeutic agents, e.g., cells and/or growth factors, and may be implanted via minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques.

Abstract: Fumaric acid or a salt thereof, such as a fumaryl halide (e.g. fumaryl chloride), which contains unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds that can be used for in situ crosslinking, is copolymerized with poly(caprolactone) diol in the presence of an alkali metal salt. The resulting photocrosslinkable biocompatible and bioresorbable poly(caprolactone fumarate) biomaterial is useful in the fabrication of injectable an in-situ hardening scaffolds for application in skeletal reconstruction.

Abstract: Poly(propylene fumarate) is copolymerized with poly(caprolactone) diol to produce a block copolymer of poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(?-caprolactone). The biocompatible and bioresorbable block copolymer of poly(propylene fumarate) and poly(?-caprolactone) is useful in the fabrication of injectable and in-situ hardening scaffolds for tissue and/or skeletal reconstruction. The block copolymer can be crosslinked by redox or photo-initiation, with or without an additional crosslinker. Thus, the copolymer is both self-crosslinkable (without the use of any crosslinkers) and photocrosslinkable (in the presence of UV light).

Abstract: Fumaric acid or a salt thereof, such as a fumaryl halide (e.g., fumaryl chloride), which contains unsaturated carbon-carbon double bonds that can be used for in situ crosslinking, is copolymerized with a biodegradable poly(caprolactone) macromer that has a flexible backbone such that the resulting copolymer may self-crosslink in the absence of a crosslinking agent. The bio-compatible and bioresorbable poly(caprolactone fumarate) biomaterial is useful in the fabrication of injectable and in-situ hardening scaffolds for application in skeletal reconstruction.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed which comprises (i) a macromer prepared by reacting an unsaturated diacid having a carbon-carbon double bond and a saturated diacid, and (ii) a bioactive ceramic grafted to the macromer. In one embodiment, the unsaturated diacid having a carbon-carbon double bond is fumaric acid, the saturated diacid is compatible with fumaric acid and poly(propylene fumarate) such as succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid and mixtures thereof, and the bioactive ceramic is hydroxyapatite. In another embodiment, hydroxyapatite is grafted with a biodegradable and crosslinkable macromer comprising silane units alternating with furnarate and adipate units.