Biomaterials, medical devices, and artificial organs 1985-01-01

In-vivo degradation of poly(lactic acid) of different molecular weights.

A S Chawla, T M Chang

Index: Biomater. Med. Devices. Artif. Organs 13(3-4) , 153-62, (1985)

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Abstract

Lactic acid was polymerized using tetraphenyl tin as a catalyst. The molecular weight of the resultant poly(lactic acid) varied between 0.89 X 10(6) and 2.94 X 10(6) depending upon the concentration of the catalyst used. In-vivo degradation of the poly(lactic acid) samples having 4 different molecular weights were studies by implanting these in Wistar rats. It was found that at the end of a 48-week implantation period lower molecular weight poly(lactic acid) samples were degraded at a faster rate than the higher molecular weight samples.