Abstract: The invention concerns a system for biocompatible drug release comprising: (i) a polymer matrix; (ii) an inorganic component located inside said matrix and characterized by a lamellar structure with a net positive or negative charge able to intercalate (iii) a pharmacologically active principle into said lamellar structure, by establishing an ionic type of bond with it and thereby obtaining an intercalation compound. The preparation process for the release system comprises the stages of: treating the lamellar solid in such a way as to give it a net positive or negative charge, then combining it with the chosen active principle, also in an ionic form, to obtain an intercalation compound which is then mixed with the polymer matrix. The release system can be employed in making medical devices, like sutures, membranes, osteosynthesis plaques, multilayered devices, gels and drug delivery systems.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite material for biomedical applications, in particular dental applications, which possesses self-healing capacity and is able to incorporate a system for the release of active ingredients at the stage of application and use.

Abstract: A process is for preparing a self-healing composite material including a matrix of epoxy polymer in which a catalyst of ring opening metathesis reaction and vessels containing at least one monomer able to polymerize due to a ring opening metathesis reaction are dispersed. The process includes the preliminary step of dispersing at molecular level the catalyst in a mixture containing at least one precursor of the epoxy polymer, and then the steps of dispersing, in the mixture, the vessels and a tertiary amine acting as curing agent of the precursor, and the step of curing the mixture by at least a first heating stage performed at a temperature between 70 and 90° C. for a time between 1 and 5 hours, and a second heating stage performed at a temperature between 90 and 170° C. for a time between 2 and 3 hours.

Abstract: The process for monitoring the curing reaction of a polymeric matrix, in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed whereby a composite material is formed, provides for: arranging an electric circuit comprising at least a generator of a substantially constant voltage, an amperemeter and two electrodes immersed into the composite material, whereby the composite material interposed between the electrodes closes the electrical circuit, and tracing the current intensity value measured by the amperemeter, which is correlated to the progress of the curing reaction of the polymeric matrix, so as to control said progress.

Abstract: The process for preparing a self-healing composite material comprising a matrix of epoxy polymer, in which a catalyst of ring opening metathesis reaction and microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms are dispersed, comprises the steps of: preparing a mixture of a precursor of the epoxy polymer, having at least one oxirane ring, a curing agent chosen from the group consisting of tertiary amines, a Hoveyda-Grubbs II metathesis catalyst reaction, having the formula (I), wherein Ar=aryl having at least one halogen or alkyl substituent and “R=alkyl with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms; and heating the mixture at a temperature comprised between 25 and 130° C. for at least 1 hour, so as to obtain such matrix of epoxy polymer due to a reaction between precursor and curing agent, which reaction does not substantially involve either said catalyst or said microcapsules.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite material for biomedical applications, in particular dental applications, which possesses self-healing capacity and is able to incorporate a system for the release of active ingredients at the stage of application and use.

Abstract: A process is for preparing a self-healing composite material including a matrix of epoxy polymer in which a catalyst of ring opening metathesis reaction and vessels containing at least one monomer able to polymerize due to a ring opening metathesis reaction are dispersed. The process includes the preliminary step of dispersing at molecular level the catalyst in a mixture containing at least one precursor of the epoxy polymer, and then the steps of dispersing, in the mixture, the vessels and a tertiary amine acting as curing agent of the precursor, and the step of curing the mixture by at least a first heating stage performed at a temperature between 70 and 90° C. for a time between 1 and 5 hours, and a second heating stage performed at a temperature between 90 and 170° C. for a time between 2 and 3 hours.

Abstract: The process for preparing a self-healing composite material comprising a matrix of epoxy polymer, in which a catalyst of ring opening metathesis reaction and microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms are dispersed, comprises the steps of: preparing a mixture of a precursor of the epoxy polymer, having at least one oxirane ring, a curing agent chosen from the group consisting of tertiary amines, a Hoveyda-Grubbs II metathesis catalyst reaction, having the formula (I), wherein Ar=aryl having at least one halogen or alkyl substituent and “R=alkyl with 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and microcapsules containing a cyclic olefin having 7 to 40 carbon atoms; and heating the mixture at a temperature comprised between 25 and 130° C. for at least 1 hour, so as to obtain such matrix of epoxy polymer due to a reaction between precursor and curing agent, which reaction does not substantially involve either said catalyst or said microcapsules.

Abstract: The process for monitoring the curing reaction of a polymeric matrix, in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed whereby a composite material is formed, provides for: arranging an electric circuit comprising at least a generator of a substantially constant voltage, an amperemeter and two electrodes immersed into the composite material, whereby the composite material interposed between the electrodes closes the electrical circuit, and tracing the current intensity value measured by the amperemeter, which is correlated to the progress of the curing reaction of the polymeric matrix, so as to control said progress.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for biocompatible drug release comprising: (i) a polymer matrix; (ii) an inorganic component located inside said matrix and characterized by a lamellar structure with a net positive or negative charge able to intercalate (iii) a pharmacologically active principle into said lamellar structure, by establishing an ionic type of bond with it and thereby obtaining an intercalation compound. The preparation process for the release system comprises the stages of: treating the lamellar solid in such a way as to give it a net positive or negative charge, then combining it with the chosen active principle, also in an ionic form, to obtain an intercalation compound which is then mixed with the polymer matrix. The release system can be employed in making medical devices, like sutures, membranes, osteosynthesis plaques, multilayered devices, gels and drug delivery systems.