Ultrasonic moulding of bioabsorbable polymers and polymer/drug composites

摘要

Processing of bioabsorbable polymer devices containing drugs is known to be a problem. In many cases, conventional melt processing methods, such as injection moulding or extrusion, lead to noticeable decomposition of both components, especially the active agent. High temperatures, long heating times and mechanical stresses, especially shear stress, caused by screws or other mixing elements in the system, are typical factors contributing to polymer and drug degradation. In order to minimize the temperature-time burden on the polymer-drug system, we studied ultrasonic moulding as a potential processing method to manufacture polymer and polymer/drug devices. In our initial studies we discovered that it is possible to shape polymer powders into solid devices by ultrasonic moulding in only a few seconds [1].