Fibers by bioresorbable poly(ester-ether-ester)s as potential suture threads: a preliminary investigation

Fibers made by a bioresorbable poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-block-poly(oxyethylene)-block-poly(epsilon-caprolactone) copolymer, having a number average molecular mass of about 200,000 Da and an average molar composition of 66% oxycaproyl units and 34% oxyethylene units, were melt-spun, with the aim at using them as suture threads. Their properties were investigated by the stress-strain test and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results obtained show that the properties of this material depend very strongly on the alignment of its macromolecules. In particular, the only partial alignment, obtainable by a relatively moderate drawing just after the extrusion, leads to values of elongation at break too high for use of the fibers as suture threads. The DSC analysis reveals interesting properties of the material, but also confirms their strong dependence on the extrusion procedure and on the mechanical treatment. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary study show that the spinning technique must be improved, and that further investigations are necessary to ascertain the possibility of using these poly(ester-ether-ester)s for the fabrication of suture threads.