Inventors:
John P. Fisher - Houston TX
Antonios G. Mikos - Houston TX
Assignee:
William Marsh Rice University - Houston TX
International Classification:
C08F 250
US Classification:
522 18, 522107, 525444, 525445, 521 18
Abstract:
A polymer network formed by crosslinking poly(propylene fumarate) with a fumarate derivative. The fumarate derivative is one in which the PPF is soluble, is preferably an alkyl fumarate, and is more preferably selected from the group consisting of diethyl fumarate, dimethyl fumarate, methyl ethyl fumarate, diisopropyl fumarate, and dibutyl fumarate. The network can be formed by photo-crosslinking and can be porous. In some embodiments, the poly(propylene fumarate) and the fumarate derivative are each present in an amount effective to produce a polymeric network useful for in vivo applications. The network can be formed from an injectable, in situ crosslinkable composite formulation, or can be prefabricated from a crosslinkable composite formulation such as stereolithography, rapid prototyping, injection molding, and extrusion molding.