Novel Biodegradable Elastomeric Scaffold for Tissue Engineering and Light Scattering Fingerprinting Methods for Testing the Same

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a novel biocompatible polymer that may be used in tissue engineering. More specifically, the specification describes methods and compositions for making and using citric acid copolymers.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . An elastomeric network comprising crosslinked polyesters having the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R is selected from a hydrogen or a poly(diol citrate); 
         wherein each A is O(CH 2 ) x O, wherein x is 6-14; 
         wherein n is an integer greater than 1; and 
         wherein the elastomeric network is insoluble in dioxane. 
       
     
     
         37 . The elastomeric network of  claim 36 , wherein x is 8-12. 
     
     
         38 . The elastomeric network of  claim 37 , wherein each A is O(CH 2 ) 8 O, O(CH 2 ) 10 O, or O(CH 2 ) 12 O. 
     
     
         39 . The elastomeric network of  claim 36 , produced by the polycondensation of citric acid with a linear aliphatic diol having the formula HO(CH 2 ) z OH, wherein z is 6-14. 
     
     
         40 . The elastomeric network of  claim 38 , produced by the polycondensation of citric acid with one or more of 1,8-ocantediol, 1,10-decanediol, and 1,12-dodecanediol. 
     
     
         41 . The elastomeric network of  claim 40 , produced by the polycondensation of citric acid with 1,8-ocantediol. 
     
     
         42 . The elastomeric network of  claim 37 , wherein each A is the same. 
     
     
         43 . The elastomeric network of  claim 36 , wherein the polyester network is biodegradeable. 
     
     
         44 . The elastomeric network of  claim 36 , wherein the polyester network is biocompatable. 
     
     
         45 . The elastomeric network of  claim 36 , further comprising glycerol. 
     
     
         46 . The elastomeric network of  claim 45 , produced by the polycondensation of citric acid, a linear aliphatic diol having the formula HO(CH 2 ) z OH, wherein z is 6-14, and glycerol. 
     
     
         47 . The elastomeric network of  claim 36 , wherein said insoluble polyester network is porous. 
     
     
         48 . The elastomeric network of  claim 36 , wherein said insoluble polyester network is non-porous.