Mark R. Kreitz

Controlled delivery of therapeutics from microporous membranes. II. In vitro degradation and release of heparin-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide).

In vitro degradation and release of five types of heparin/surfactant-loaded poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide 50:50) (PLG) microspheres alone and also incorporated within microporous polyurethane tubes were studied over a 3-month period. Degradation was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Heparin release was characterized using a modified Azure A assay. SEM suggests that microspheres may be entrapped within polyurethane fibrils of the polyurethane tubes, thereby reducing contact with their hydrated environment. FTIR transmittance spectra confirm microsphere incorporation within the polyurethane tubes and PLG ester hydrolysis occurring over the 3-month period. A correlation was observed between decreasing molecular weights and glass transition temperatures (Tg). The microspheres alone exhibited a change in Tg but not when incorporated within the microporous tubes. Release profiles revealed a burst effect occurring during the first 4h and total release of the heparin from the microspheres by 12 weeks.

Controlled delivery of therapeutics from microporous membranes. I. Fabrication and characterization of microporous polyurethane membranes containing polymeric microspheres.

This paper describes a process for the inclusion of polymer microspheres in microporous polyurethane tubes and membranes. These composites were fabricated via a spray, phase-inversion technique using Cardiothane 51, a medical grade polyurethane, and either spray-dried poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide 50:50) microspheres or commercially available fluorescent polystyrene-latex microspheres. Characterization of the polyurethane membranes was performed using Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, hydraulic permeability testing, scanning electron microscopy, and visible and fluorescence light microscopy. The results indicated the feasibility of layering microspheres throughout the microporous membrane or wall of the microporous tube, and the potential of such composite structures for local delivery of bioactive substances.

Characterization of a Polyanhydride Series by Ftir

Using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy we have characterized a polyanhydride copolymer series composed of various ratios of the diacids 1,3-bis(p -carboxyphenoxy)propane (CPP) and sebacic acid (SA). Typical peaks corresponding to the aliphatic-aliphatic (SA-SA), aromatic-aliphatic (CPP-SA), and aromatic-aromatic (CPP-CPP) diads were found in the 1820- 1710 cm −1 wavenumber range. Further peaks corresponding to the SA-SA diads were identified in the fingerprint region at 1382, 1360, 1307, and 1286 cm −1 . These peak characterizations facilitate identification of bond distribution in the CPP-SA copolymer as well as other polyanhydride copolymers, and correlate well with previously presented information obtained with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction.