Itaconic Acid Oligomers for Electrostatically Spun Degradable Implantable Biobased Polyurethane

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Medical Device Engineering

Background:

• Cardiovascular and bile duct diseases necessitate effective replacement surgeries.
• Limited availability of commercial materials and natural grafts highlights the need for new implantable solutions.
• Developing tubular implantable materials is crucial for treating organ diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel implantable medical polyurethane (IBP-PU) with a binary soft segment structure.
• To evaluate the mechanical, thermal, and biocompatibility properties of the synthesized IBP-PU.
• To assess the material's degradation profile and suitability for tubular grafts.

Main Methods:

• Microwave synthesis was employed to prepare the IBP-PU with a binary soft segment structure.
• Mechanical testing (strength, strain at break) and thermomechanical analysis (T_d5%) were conducted.
• Biocompatibility was assessed via hemolysis rate and cell survival assays.
• Electrostatic spinning was used to fabricate tubular structures.

Main Results:

• IBP-PU demonstrated excellent mechanical properties (33.00 ± 4.02 MPa strength, 519.93 ± 53.44% strain at break).
• The material exhibited stable thermomechanical properties (T_d5% > 250 °C) and excellent biocompatibility (2.55% hemolysis, >100% cell survival).
• A 5 mm caliber tubular graft was successfully fabricated using electrostatic spinning, showing appropriate degradation rates.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized IBP-PU possesses superior mechanical and thermal stability, alongside excellent biocompatibility.
• The material's controlled degradation and non-toxic byproducts make it suitable for long-term implantation.
• IBP-PU is a promising candidate for small-caliber cardiovascular, bile duct, and other in vivo tubular grafts.