Block copolymers of polycarpolactone and poly (propylene funarate)
View Patent ↗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 photons such as UV light).
1. A block copolymer comprising:
caprolactone units; and
propylene fumarate units wherein the block copolymer has the following formula:
wherein n, m and p are integers.
2. The block copolymer of claim 1 wherein:
n is 1 to 16, m is 5 to 24, and p is 5 to 24.
3. The block copolymer of claim 1 wherein:
the block copolymer has a number average molecular weight of 5000 daltons or greater.
4. The copolymer of claim 1 wherein the copolymer is prepared by reacting (i) polycaprolactone diol and (ii) poly(propylene fumarate).
5. The copolymer of claim 4 wherein:
the polycaprolactone diol has molecular weight in the range of 500 to 10,000 daltons.
6. A crosslinkable, biodegradable material comprising:
the block copolymer of claim 1 wherein the propylene fumarate units comprise poly(propylene fumarate) and wherein the caprolactone units comprise poly(ε-caprolactone);
and
a free radical initiator or photoinitiator.
7. The material of claim 6 wherein:
the material includes a free radical initiator, and
the material is self-crosslinkable.
8. The material of claim 6 wherein:
the material includes a photoinitiator, and
the material is photocrosslinkable.
9. The material of claim 6 wherein:
the material is injectable.
10. The material of claim 6 wherein:
the material is a bone substitute.
11. The material of claim 6 wherein:
the material is a bone cement.
12. The material of claim 6 further comprising:
a porogen.
13. The material of claim 6 further comprising:
an accelerator.
14. The material of claim 6 wherein:
the material does not include a crosslinker.
15. The material of claim 6 further comprising:
particulate or fiber reinforcement materials.
16. The material of claim 15 wherein:
the reinforcement materials comprise hydroxyapatite.
17. The material of claim 6 wherein:
the copolymer is prepared by reacting (i) poly(caprolactone) diol and (ii) poly(propylene fumarate).