ABSTRACT
Polyurethanes based on poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) (750-2800 g/mol) and 1,4-butane diisocyanate (BDI) with different soft segment lengths and constant uniform hard segment length were synthesized in absence of catalysts for the production of a degradable meniscus scaffold. First the polyesterdiols were endcapped with BDI yielding a macrodiisocyanate with a minimal amount of side reactions and a functionality of 2.0. Subsequently, the macrodiisocyanates were extended with 1,4-butanediol in order to obtain the corresponding polyurethane. The polyurethanes had molecular weights between 78 and 160 kg/mol. Above molar masses of 1900 g/mol of the polyesterdiol crystalline PCL was found while the hard segment showed an increase in melting point from 78 to 122 degrees C with increasing hard segment content. It was estimated that the percentage crystallinity of the hard segment varied between 92 and 26%. The Young's modulus varied between 30 and 264 MPa, the strain at break varied between 870 and 1200% and tear strengths varied between 97 and 237 kJ/m2.
Subject(s)
Absorbable Implants , Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Butanes/chemistry , Nitriles/chemistry , Polyesters/chemistry , Biocompatible Materials/analysis , Butanes/analysis , Catalysis , Compressive Strength , Elasticity , Hardness , Materials Testing , Molecular Weight , Nitriles/analysis , Polyesters/analysis , Stress, Mechanical , Surface Properties , Temperature , Transition TemperatureABSTRACT
In this study it was investigated whether hydrogels could be used for an accommodating lens. The requirements of such a hydrogels are a low modulus, high refractive index, transparency, and strength. Since conventional hydrogels do not possess this combination of properties, a novel preparation method and new polymers are introduced. As starting materials poly(1-hydroxy-1,3-propanediyl), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(allyl alcohol) were used. The first three were cross-linked with a number of diisocyanate compounds. Network formation was performed at low concentrations in a good solvent. Mixing of the polymer solution and cross-linker appeared to be crucial for transparency. Poly(1-hydroxy-1,3-propanediyl), cross-linked with a slow reacting diisocyanate block, shows the most promising properties with respect to refractive index, transparency, tensile strength, and modulus. Poly(allyl alcohol) hydrogel was made by compression molding. The hydrogel was transparent and had a high refractive index and low modulus. It was concluded that hydrogels could be used as accommodating lens material.
