Abstract
The use of a biodegradable carrier system that provides a steady, controlled release of drugs or bioactive factors can be an attractive delivery vehicle of substances which can enhance repair processes in the musculoskeletal system. The present in vitro study examines the degradative and release characteristics of a 50:50 polylactic acid/polyglycolic acid implant, used as a carrier of trypsin inhibitor over a 10 week period. Morphological and scanning electron microscopic examinations demonstrate that the implant degrades in a gradual, extended fashion; by 10 weeks the implant is completely dissolved.It is also shown that the protein is released from the implant in a sigmoidal pattern with increased release between three and seven weeks. In order to further describe the degradative process of the implant, temporal changes in its molecular weight and surface axial strain were also determined. It is shown that in the initial four weeks there is a linear decrease in molecular weight of the implants. Axial strain decreased and then increases over time suggesting an initial period of stiffening followed by a period of degradative softening.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Bioengineering Division (Publication) BED |
| Editors | John M. Tarbell |
| Place of Publication | New York, NY, United States |
| Publisher | Publ by ASME |
| Pages | 603-606 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Volume | 26 |
| ISBN (Print) | 0791810313 |
| State | Published - 1993 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Proceedings of the 1993 ASME Winter Annual Meeting - New Orleans, LA, USA Duration: Nov 28 1993 → Dec 3 1993 |
Other
| Other | Proceedings of the 1993 ASME Winter Annual Meeting |
|---|---|
| City | New Orleans, LA, USA |
| Period | 11/28/93 → 12/3/93 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Engineering(all)