South Carolina Patent of the Month – June 2023
Poly-Med, Inc., a leading medical device company specializing in innovative materials and technologies, has recently patented new technology in the field of stereolithography (SLA) with their new photopolymerizable compounds and compositions. These compounds have the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing process of articles such as medical devices and coatings.
The key feature of Poly-Med’s invention is a photopolymerizable compound that comprises a polyaxial central core (CC) and 2-4 arms extending from the central core. The arms are of the formula (A)-(B) or (B)-(A), where at least one of the arms contains a light-reactive functional group (Q). The central core and arms are formed through the ring-opening polymerization of specific monomers, such as trimethylene carbonate (T), glycolide, lactide, or p-dioxanone.
These innovative compounds can be used to create light-curable compositions, which, when combined with a photoinitiator, can be used in various photopolymerization processes, including 3D printing and coating applications. In 3D printing, the photopolymerizable composition is exposed to light, causing it to solidify and form a printed article with high accuracy and precision. Similarly, in coating applications, the composition is applied to a surface and then cured with actinic radiation, resulting in a solid coating.
One of the advantages of Poly-Med’s photopolymerizable compounds and compositions is their biodegradability. This means that articles produced using these materials have a limited lifetime and can naturally degrade over time, making them suitable for applications such as temporary coatings on medical devices or biodegradable meshes for tissue repair.
Poly-Med’s compounds and compositions also address concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of photopolymerized materials. They have been designed with a focus on biocompatibility and cytotoxicity, ensuring that the resulting articles are safe for use in contact with living entities.
The versatility of these compounds is evident in the various compositions that can be formulated. Different combinations of the central core, arms, and functional groups allow for a wide range of properties and applications. The molecular mass and viscosity of the compositions can be adjusted to meet specific requirements, making them adaptable to different manufacturing processes.
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