New sterically encumbered N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts were synthesized and used to polymerize rac-lactide to give highly isotactic polylactide or meso-lactide to give heterotactic polylactide.

................................................................................................................................................................... 7 list of original publications ....................................................................................................................... 8 list of abbreviations ............................................................

In this communication we report the preparation of highly active catalysts for the production of polylactide and the subsequent conversion of polylactide to methyl lactate. The use of these catalysts for potential recycling applications is discussed.

Caffeic acid terminally conjugated with polylactide showed high thermal stability and photoreactivity, and may be useful as a functional polylactide in the environmental and medical fields.

STUDY DESIGN In vivo study of anterior discectomy and fusion using a bioresorbable 70:30 poly(l-lactide-co-d,l-lactide) interbody implant in an ovine model. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of the polylactide implant to function as an interbody fusion device, and to assess the tissue reaction to the material during the resorption process. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA The use of polylactide ...

Introduction. The well-ordered structures of block copolymer microdomains formed by self-assembly are potentially interesting optical materials, specifically as photonic crystals. Photonic crystals are structures with a periodic variation of refractive index.1-3 For light of the appropriate frequency, such crystals can be used to bend and steer the light, opening up many possible applications s...

Absorbable polylactide films were studied in order to observe the effect of orientation on the resulting hydrolytic degradation pattern. Two types of polylactide films with two levels of molecular orientation were studied, during a nine month exposure to a phosphate buffered solution at 37°C. The films were sectioned and quantified as to void area, birefringence area, and intensity of birefring...

AIM The aim of this study was to assess technical feasibility, biocompatibility, and impact on coronary stenosis of a new biodegradable paclitaxel-loaded polylactide stent. Due to high rates of in-stent restenosis and permanent nature of metal stent implants, synthetic polymers have been proposed as surrogate materials for stents and local delivery systems for drugs. Paclitaxel was shown to inh...

OBJECTIVES An adult pig model of retrosternal adhesion formation via an inferior hemisternotomy was used to evaluate the formation and development of pericardial and retrosternal adhesions, as well as adhesion reduction using two thicknesses of a bioabsorbable polylactide film. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five adult female pigs (70 kg) were allocated to either a control group or four differe...