Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable multi-block copolymer, comprising at least two hydrolysable segments derived from pre-polymers A and B, which segments are linked by a multi-functional chain-extender and are chosen from the pre-polymers A and B, and triblock copolymers ABA and BAB, wherein the multi-block copolymer is amorphous at physiological (body) conditions. The invention further relates to a process for preparing said copolymer and to its use as a medical implant, a coating for a medical device or a drug delivery vehicle.

Abstract: Novel bioabsorbable polymeric blends are disclosed. The blends have a first component that is a polylactide polymers or a copolymer of lactide and glycolide and a second component that is poly(p-dioxanone) polymer. The novel polymeric blends provide medical devices having dimensional stability. Also disclosed are novel bioabsorbable medical devices made from these novel polymer blends, as well as novel methods of manufacture.

Abstract: A fully degradable and a compostable polyester based blend that is free from non- degradable organic or inorganic additives such as nucleating agents and the like. The thermal properties of the present blend are configured for optimised flow rate during process moulding via a ‘flow rate enhancing component’ being a relative low molecular weight biodegradable polyester. The blend also provides a resultant moulded article having the appropriate mechanical, physical and chemical properties including greatly improved toughness over existing PLA based blends. This is achieved by incorporating a ‘toughening component’ within the blend being a relatively high molecular weight component relative to the flow rate enhancing component.

Abstract: A block or graft copolymer includes a first block, and a second block different from the first block, wherein the first block is a poly(lactide-glycolide) copolymer. The polymers may be formulated in compositions with drug components for use in coating medical devices such as stents. Different blocks of the block or graft copolymer degrade in the body at different rates. The drug release profile from the coating is a combination the individual release rates of the different blocks and so can be controlled by controlling the selection and relative amounts of the respective blocks.

Abstract: The invention provides a piezoelectric polymer material including a helical chiral polymer having a weight average molecular weight of from 50,000 to 1,000,000 and having optical activity, the piezoelectric polymer material having a piezoelectric constant d14 at 25° C. of 10 pC/N or more, a degree of crystallinity obtained by X-ray diffraction of from 40% to 80%, and a haze of from 0.5 to 30.

Abstract: A biodegradable particle including a block copolymer produced by copolymerization of a biodegradable copolymer having a structure composed of hydroxycarboxylic acid a1, whose homopolymer produced by homopolymerization has a glass transition point of not less than 40° C. and hydroxycarboxylic acid a2, whose homopolymer produced by homopolymerization has a glass transition point of not more than ?40° C.; a water-soluble polymer comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, amino group and carboxylic acid group at each of both ends; and a polyvalent compound comprising 2 or more functional groups each selected from the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, amino group and carboxylic acid group; wherein a ratio of mass of said structure composed of hydroxycarboxylic acid a2 to mass of said biodegradable copolymer is 30 to 90% by mass.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, and related compounds and methods, of conjugates of immunomodulatory agents and polymers or unit(s) thereof. The conjugates may be contained within synthetic nanocarriers, and the immunomodulatory agents may be released from the synthetic nanocarriers in a pH sensitive manner.

Abstract: A stent scaffolding including a polymer formulation comprising PLLA and polymandelide is disclosed. The polymandelide reduces the molecular weight drop during processing, particularly during sterilization. The stent scaffolding can further include one or more additional stabilizing agents that additionally reduce the molecular weight drop during processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to degradable polymers, including degradable polymers that may be responsive to ionic strength. The invention also relates generally to methods of making degradable polymers and methods of using such polymers.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of a biodegradable polyester, where a mixture of aliphatic dihydroxy compounds, aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their liquid esters, and, optionally, further comonomers is mixed, without addition of a catalyst, to give a paste, and i) this mixture with at least a portion of the catalyst, is continuously esterified or, transesterified; ii) the transesterification or, esterification product obtained in i) is continuously precondensed with any remaining amount of catalyst to an intrinsic viscosity of from 20 to 70 cm3/g; iii) the product obtainable from ii) is continuously polycondensed to an intrinsic viscosity of from 60 to 170 cm3/g, and iv) the product obtainable from iii) is reacted continuously with a chain extender in a polyaddition reaction to an intrinsic viscosity of from 150 to 320 cm3/g. The invention further relates to biodegradable polyesters obtained by this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blend of sulfo-modified copolyester wherein the diacid is aromatic or cyclic and polyglycolic acid. The blend of sulfo-modified copolyester and polyglycolic acid can be used to prepare containers with good transparency and high gas barrier properties. The preferred sulfo-modified copolyester composition comprises terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and 5-sulfoisophthalic acid. A method of preparing a blend of sulfo-modified copolyester and polyglycolic acid is disclosed, as well as master batch processes. The present invention also relates to a method of making a container wherein the sulfo-modified copolyester is blended with the polyglycolic acid at an injection molding machine used to make preforms, which are then blown into bottles.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as stents, fabricated at least in part from a polymer composite including a biodegradable elastomeric phase dispersed within a biodegradable polymeric matrix are disclosed. The composite is composed of a polyurethane block copolymer including soft polymer blocks and a hard polymer blocks.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers formed from prepolymers derived from copolyester polyols. The copolyester polyols have segments derived from one or more polyesters and caprolactone or polycaprolactone. The polyurethane elastomers have good hardness stability at temperatures ranging from 0° C. to 30° C. and preferably have good hydrolytic stability.

Abstract: Methods are provided for preparing polymer mixtures having low residual monomer content. The methods comprise mixing the at least two polymers in a solvent to form a polymeric mixture, the polymeric mixture comprising at least one residual monomer; and adding an antisolvent to the polymeric mixture so as to separate the at least two polymers from the polymeric mixture, where the residual monomer is soluble in the antisolvent. In some embodiments, methods are provided for preparing at least two polymers having low residual monomer content, the methods comprise adding an antisolvent to a mixture of at least two polymers dissolved in a solvent so as to precipitate the at least two polymers from the solvent and anti-solvent. The methods provided avoid steps in dry blending of polymers and produces polymer blends that have low residual monomer content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a modified pigment, comprising: reacting, under Mitsunobu conditions: (a) a first reactant comprising a protonated nucleophile having a pKa<15, and (b) a second reactant comprising a hydroxyl-containing organic group, wherein a pigment is attached to either the first or second reactant. The method further comprises forming the modified pigment having attached an organic species comprising the nucleophile bonded to the organic group, with the net elimination of a proton and a hydroxyl. Also disclosed herein are modified pigments, which can have applications in chemical toners, inkjet ink and electrophoretic ink compositions, black matrix materials, color filters, and coatings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer composition comprising at least two polyesters having improved mechanical properties, in particular a good balance between ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation on failure. This composition is particularly suitable for the production of manufactured articles such as for example films, moulded objects, thermoformed objects or expanded articles.

Abstract: The present invention is a biodegradable resin composition comprising a sparingly hydrolyzing biodegradable resin (A) and an ester decomposition promoter (B), the ester decomposition promoter (B) being a copolymerized polyester that contains a segment (X) of a sparingly hydrolyzing polyester and a segment (Y) of an easily hydrolyzing polyester at a weight ratio of 10/90<X/Y<75/25. The biodegradable resin composition of the present invention features excellent biodegradability as well as excellent transparency.

Abstract: There is provided a crosslinked polymer compound, including: a crosslinked structure formed by reaction of a carboxyl group of polylactic acid having at least a carboxyl group at an end of a polymer chain of the polylactic acid with a hydroxyl group of a lignophenol derivative having at least a hydroxyl group in a molecular structure of the lignophenol derivative, wherein the compound comprises a high-molecular weight component insoluble in hexafluoroisopropanol and a low-molecular weight component soluble in hexafluoroisopropanol, a content ratio of the high-molecular weight component is from 2% by mass to 75% by mass based on the total amount of the high-molecular weight component and the low-molecular weight component, and the low-molecular weight component has a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 or more.

Abstract: Block copolymers include hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks having repeating units derived from ring opening polymerization of one or more cyclic carbonate monomers. The carbonate monomers are independently selected from compounds of 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: Novel semi-crystalline, segmented copolymers of lactide and epsilon-caprolactone exhibiting long term absorption characteristics are disclosed. The novel polymer compositions are useful for long term absorbable meshes, surgical sutures, especially monofilament sutures, and other medical devices.

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: A delivery system using materials that form a liquogel or nanocarrier are described. The delivery system comprises hyperbranched polyglycerols (HPGs). The delivery system can include a drug or therapeutic agent and this system can be used to administer the drug or therapeutic agent locally. The delivery system provides for controlled release of the drug or therapeutic agent.

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: Absorbable, multiphasic, crystalline, solid blend compositions having at least two first order thermal transitions, are formed of a segmented l-lactide copolymer as the principal or major component and at least one additional crystalline thermoplastic absorbable polyester having glycolide-based sequences, a fraction of which participated in ester-ester interchange reactions with lactide-based sequences to produce crystalline materials with modulated properties for use in producing orthopedic and tissue-repair devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coated biodegradable materials having a reduced amount of residual catalysts and methods thereof.

Abstract: There are provided: a shape-memory resin, which is formed from a polylactic acid derivative thereby enabling reduction of an environmental load, has an excellent shape-memory property, high strength, and high toughness, and with which a molded product with high durability, for example, an electronic equipments, particularly a wearable electronic equipments capable of freely changing the shape thereof or the like, can be shaped; and a molded product thereof. The shape-memory resin of the present invention has a three-dimensional structure, in which a polylactic acid derivative having two or more functional groups capable of forming a cross-linking site is cross-linked using a flexible polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) lower than 30° C. and having two or more functional groups capable of forming a cross-linking site, and a linker.

Abstract: The flame-retardant polymer fibre according to the invention comprises a PA66/PA6 polymer blend having the following composition: 60 to 90% by weight of polyamide 66, 6 to 25% by weight of polyamide 6, 4 to 10% by weight of at least one halogen-free flame retardant made of a polycondensate of a) at least one phosphorus-containing monomer selected from adducts of a1) 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and/or nuclear-substitution DOPO derivatives in a2) unsaturated compounds from the group of mono- and multivalent carboxylic acids and the anhydrides thereof and b) at least one ester-forming monomer selected from the group of mono- or multivalent alcohols and mixtures thereof. In addition to the flammability resistance, the polymer fibre according to the invention has very good textile-mechanical properties, and is resistant to washing-out of the flame retardant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blended composition comprising one or more polycarbonates wherein at least one of the polycarbonates is a polyesterpolycarbonate having at least one unit derived from a soft block ester unit, e.g.

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: A polylactic acid-containing resin composition that include (a) a polylactic acid and (b) a (meth)acrylic copolymer having a molecular weight in excess of 30,000 and that is the reaction product of a monomer mixture including a methyl (meth)acrylate (i) and a (meth)acrylic acid ester (ii) that is different than the methyl (meth)acrylate (i). The (meth)acrylic acid ester (ii) is represented by any one of formula (I): CH2?C(R1)—COO—R2 formula (II): CH2?C(R1)—COO—(CH2CH2O)m—R3, or formula (III): CH2?C(R1)—COO—(CH2CH2O)n-Ph. A method for preparing the (meth)acrylic copolymer is also provided as well as articles formed from polylactic acid-containing resin compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles made of a thermoformable resin comprising a biodegradable polymer having polybutylene succinate (PBS) via extrusion using an extruder which comprise: a biodegradable polymer having: (a) a Ts value of up to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 50° to about 150° C.); (b) a heat distortion index of up to about 150° C. (for example, up to about 120° C.); and (c) optionally, a Tm in the range of from about 70° to about 160° C. (e.g., in the range of from about 80° to about 150° C.). Thermoformed article such as a food or beverage cup, lid, cutlery item, foodservice item, molded tray, food storage container, etc provide the ability to resist deformation during higher temperature conditions that may occur during storage and distribution.

Abstract: A resin composition comprises a polylactic acid resin (A) 75-10 wt %, an aromatic polycarbonate resin (B) 25-90 wt % and a polymer compound to which a glycidyl compound or an acid anhydride is grafted or copolymerized (D) 1-50 wt parts with respect to 100 wt parts of the total of the component (A) and the component (B).

Abstract: The present invention provides a poly lactic acid resin including an L-lactic acid block and a D-lactic acid block, which blocks are bonded by a carbonate bonding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a copolymer resin composition including a lactic acid copolymer, the lactic acid copolymer containing monomer units represented by the following chemical formulas [1], [2], and [3], wherein a content of a monomer unit represented by the chemical formula [3] is 50 mol % or more and 95 mol % or less, a weight-average molecular weight of the lactic acid copolymer is 20,000 or more and 1,000,000 or less, and a deflection temperature of the lactic acid copolymer under load is 65° C. or higher and 100° C. or lower at a bending stress of 1.80 MPa.

Abstract: A resin composition comprising at least 0.1% by weight of poly(hydroxy carboxylic acid) and at least 50% by weight of polypropylene prepared with a single-site catalyst, preferably with a metallocene catalyst.

Abstract: A drug conjugate is provided herein. The conjugate comprises a protein based recognition-molecule (PBRM) and a polymeric carrier substituted with one or more -LD-D, the protein based recognition-molecule being connected to the polymeric carrier by LP. Each occurrence of D is independently a therapeutic agent having a molecular weight?5 kDa. LD and LP are linkers connecting the therapeutic agent and PBRM to the polymeric carrier respectively. Also disclosed are polymeric scaffolds useful for conjugating with a PBRM to form a polymer-drug-PBRM conjugate described herein, compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions.

Abstract: Novel bioabsorbable and/or biocompatible polyurethanes, polyureas, polyamideurethanes and polyureaurethanes with tunable physical, mechanical properties and hydrolytic degradation profiles are provided for use in biomedical applications such as stents, stent coatings, scaffolds, foams, and films. The disclosed polymers may be derived from biocompatible and/or bioabsorbable polyisocyanates. The present invention also relates to new and improved methods for the preparation of the biocompatible and/or bioabsorbable polyisocyanates.

Abstract: The invention relates to binders for pulverulent metals, metal alloys or ceramics based on polyacetals, polyethers and polyesters, to thermoplastic compositions comprising these binders for the production of metallic or ceramic moldings, to the use thereof and to processes for production of moldings therefrom.

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: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a polylactic acid film. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for stably and effectively obtaining optimized stereocomplex crystals through specified boiling point and evaporation time of a solvent allowing the content of stereocomplex crystals to be 100%.

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: The present invention pertains to a process for producing three-dimensional, self-supporting and/or substrate-supported formed pieces or structures on surfaces by means of site-selective solidification of a liquid to pasty, organic or organically modified material within a bath consisting of this material by means of two- or multiphoton polymerization, whereby the material has at least one compound that has both an organic radical polymerizable via two-photon or multiphoton polymerization and a biocompatible, biodegradable or bioresorbable group, and/or wherein the bath material additionally contains groups or radicals, which are available for an inorganic crosslinking or which are already inorganically crosslinked, providing that both an organic radical polymerizable via two-photon or multiphoton polymerization and a biocompatible, biodegradable or bioresorbable group must be contained in the material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid dispersant based on polyamine-graft-polyacrylate blend, its preparation and its use in solvent borne systems, especially to a polyamine-g-polyacrylate grafted copolymer blend of the general formula (1) or a mixture of formula (1) and YT-(A1,A2)-Y1 wherein T is a polyamine or polyimine, A1 is a bridging bond which is selected from amide or amide, A2 is a —N—C— bridging bond, Y is an acrylate residue of the general formula (2), wherein, R1 and R2 are, independently, hydrogen or C1-20alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, substituted aryl. n is a number of 1-1000, wherein the polyamine-g-polyacrylate grafted copolymer blend has an average molecular weight of 50 000 g/mol to 150 000 g/mol and a polydispersity Mw/Mn is greater than 3.

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 drug conjugate is provided herein. The conjugate comprises a protein based recognition-molecule (PBRM) and a polymeric carrier substituted with one or more -LD-D, the protein based recognition-molecule being connected to the polymeric carrier by LP. Each occurrence of D is independently a therapeutic agent having a molecular weight ?5 kDa. LD and LP are linkers connecting the therapeutic agent and PBRM to the polymeric carrier respectively. Also disclosed are polymeric scaffolds useful for conjugating with a PBRM to form a polymer-drug-PBRM conjugate described herein, compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions.

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: A resin composition comprising at least 0.1% by weight of poly(hydroxy carboxylic acid) and at least 50% by weight of polar low density polyethylene, the pLDPE comprising from 0.5 to 25% by weight of a polar vinyl-containing comonomer.

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: The invention relates to a method for making a polymer wherein during the polymerisation is incorporated in the polymer chain by ring opening polymerisation a cyclic (alkyl)acryloyl carbonate having the formula (4): wherein R1 and R2 each independently are hydrogen, methyl or ethyl. Preferable the polymer is an (alkyl)acryloyl polycarbonate such that at least one first monomer a cyclic (alkyl)acryloyl carbonate having the formula (4). The (alkyl)acryloyl polyester may be modified and used in biodevices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biodegradable thermoplastic elastomer having the general formula A-B-A wherein each A is an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg)>40° C. or a semi-crystalline polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) and/or melting temperature (Tm)>40° C.; B is a copolymer of -caprolactone (CL) and at least one additional monomer selected from the group consisting of L-lactic acid (LLA), trimethyl carbonate (TMC), and glycolic acid (GA), or B is different to A and is lactic-co-glycolic acid (LGA); and wherein the molar ratio of CL to the at least one additional monomer in the copolymer B is in the range between about 1:0.09 to about 1:1.