Abstract: Method for making poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) polymer made by ring-opening polymerization of propylene oxide and maleic anhydride in the presence of magnesium ethoxide initiator, wherein PPF is specifically designed for us in 3D manufacturing of medical devices. PPF polymers have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from about 450 Daltons to about 3400 Daltons; a molecular mass distribution (m) of from 1.0 to 2.0; and contains less than 1% w/w of poly(maleic anhydride-co-propylene oxide) polymer chains particularly. PPF polymers are non-toxic, degradable, and resorbable and can be used in tissue scaffolds and medical devices that are implanted within a living organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low molecular mass PPF polymer (and related methods) that is suitable for 3D printing and other polymer device fabrication modalities and can be made inexpensively in commercially reasonable quantities. These novel low molecular mass PPF polymers have a low molecular mass distribution (m) and a wide variety of potential uses, particularly as a component in resins for 3D printing of medical devices. The ability to produce low m PPF creates a new opportunity for reliable GMP production of PPF. It provides low cost synthesis and scalability of synthesis, blending of well-defined mass and viscosity PPF, and reduced reliance on solvents or heat to (a) achieve mixing of 3D printable resins or (b) and flowability during 3D printing. These PPF polymers are non-toxic, degradable, and resorbable and can be used in tissue scaffolds and medical devices that are implanted within a living organism.