Degradation rate, poly

Chain degradation in turbulent flow has been frequently reported in conjunction with drag reduction and in simple shear flow at high Reynolds numbers [187], Using poly(decyl methacrylate) under conditions of turbulent flow in a capillary tube, Muller and Klein observed that the hydrodynamic volume, [r ] M, is the determining factor for the degradation rate in various solvents and at various polymer concentrations [188], The initial MWD of the polymers used in their experiments are, however, too broad (Mw/Iiln = 5 ) to allow for a precise... 

Recently, Brich and coworkers (40) reported the synthesis of lactide/glycolide polymers branched with different polyols. Polyvinyl-alcohol and dextran acetate were used to afford polymers exhibiting degradation profiles significantly different from that of linear poly-lactides. The biphasic release profile often observed with the linear polyesters was smoothened somewhat to a monophasic profile. Further, the overall degradation rate is accelerated. It was speculated that these polymers can potentially afford more uniform drug release kinetics. This potential has not yet been fully demonstrated. 

Miller, R. A., Brady, J. M., and Cutright, D. E., Degradation rates of oral resorbable implants (polylactates and poly-glycolates) Rate modification with changes in PLA/PGA copolymer ratios, J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 11, 711, 1977. 

W. J., Degradation rates of polymei and copolymers of poly-lactic and poly glycolic acids. Oral Surg. Oral Med. Oral Pathol.,... 

FIGURE 22 Semilog plot of the in vitro rate of hydrolytic chain scission of PCL, poly glycolic acid-co-lactic acid, and a 1 1 blend of the two polymers, demonstrating the use of blends to modify degradation rates. (From Refs. 64 and 65.)... 

Based on these studies, it is obvious that poly(N-acylhydroxy-proline esters) are very slowly degrading polymers. These materials may therefore be useful for long-term applications, such as implantable, multiyear contraceptive formulations. For such applications the degradation rates of poly (lactic acid)/poly (glycolic acid) devices would probably be too rapid. 

These representative aliphatic polyesters are often used in copolymerized form in various combinations, for example, poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) [66-68] and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) [69-73], to improve degradation rates, mechanical properties, processability, and solubility by reducing crystallinity. Other monomers such as 1,4-dioxepan-5-one (DXO) [74—76], 1,4-dioxane-2-one [77], and trimethylene carbonate (TMC) [28] (Fig. 2) have also been used as comonomers to improve the hydrophobicity of the aliphatic polyesters as well as their degradability and mechanical properties. 

Molecular weight may also affect the erosion rate. Table IX shows the degradation rate of a representative poly(anhydride-co-urethane), a poly(anhydride-co-amide), and a poly(anhydride-co-ester) of different molecular weights (Hartmann et al., 1993). For all of these polymers reported, the erosion rate decreases as the molecular weight increases. 

Varshney et al. (3) prepared biocompatible and bioerodable poly(lactide-co-succinic anhydride) derivatives having a Young s modulus between about 1.5 and 3, which had enhanced surface degradation rates. 

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