(380d) Miscibility and Modification of Bioabsorbable Polymers In Dense Fluids

A rapidly expanding area in dense fluid processing of polymers pertains to polymer modifications for biomedical applications.  The range is broad from particle formation or encapsulation for drug delivery, to scaffolding and foaming for tissue engineering and organ regeneration.  Those polymers that are bioabsorbable or biodegradable are of special significance for these applications.

In this presentation I will describe miscibility and scaffolding potential of  polymers  such as poly(l-lactic acid), poly(p-dioxanone), poly(ɛ-caprolactone), poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-lactide), and poly(ɛ-caprolactone -co-glycolide) in  binary fluid mixtures of carbon dioxide.  I will also discuss some novel instrumentation, in particular a solution extrusion approach to generate tubular foams with potential utility for vascular tissue engineering.