Composition, methods and devices useful for manufacturing of implantable articles

Abstract

The application is directed to aqueous dispersible biodegradable compositions of esters which are the condensation reaction product of a polyol and a diacid which are within a matrix of hydrated polypeptide. The compositions are useful in additive manufacturing and other applications for use with implantable articles. In some embodiments, the ester in the compositions is the product of a glyercol-sebacic acid condensation reaction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for forming a composition comprising:
 mixing a solid polypeptide in water to form a polypeptide hydrogel; and   adding a glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound to the polypeptide hydrogel;   wherein the composition comprises an aqueous dispersion of the glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound in the polypeptide hydogel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of adding the glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound is carried out while the glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound is in molten form. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of adding the glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound is carried out while the glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound is in solid form. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound is a polymeric compound having a molecular weight in excess of 10,000. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glycerol-sebacic acid ester compound is an oligomeric compound having a molecular weight less than 10,000. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising adding a polymeric glycerol-sebacic acid ester compound having a molecular weight in excess of 10,000 after adding the glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound to the polypeptide hydrogel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adding comprises mixing the glyercol-sebacic acid ester compound into the polypeptide hydrogel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solid polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of collagen and gelatin. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing and adding occur at a temperature in the range of about 25° C. to about 85° C. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising cooling the composition to solidify the composition. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mixing further comprises heating the solid polypeptide in the water.