Synthesis and properties of degradable poly(urethane urea)s to be used for ligament reconstructions.

In the present study we describe the synthesis, wet spinning, mechanical testing, and degradation of poly(urethane urea)s (PUURs) intended for clinical use in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The effects of soft segment chemical composition and molar mass and the kind of diamine chain extender on the material properties were investigated. It was found that the fibers made of PUUR with polycaprolactone diol (PCL530) as soft segment and MDI/1,3-DAP as hard segment (PCL530-3) have high tensile strength and high modulus and when degraded keep their tensile strength for the time demanded for the application. In conclusion, from a chemical and mechanical point of view PUUR fibers of PCL530-3, ARTELON, are suitable for designing a degradable ACL device.