Synthesis and characterization of hydrophilic high glycolic acid-poly(dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid)/polycaprolactam/polyvinyl alcohol blends and their biomedical application as a ureteral material

Synthesis of low molecular weight poly(dl-lactic-co-glycolic acid), homopolymer poly lactic acid (PLA), and formulation of a hydrophilic blend with polycaprolactam and polyvinyl alcohol is reported. The surface properties and the morphology of the blends were characterized with a goniometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical property was analyzed with a tensile strength analyzer. The composition of these blends was verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The biocompatibility and hemocompatibility and the extent of salt encrustation and adhesion of virulent bacterial strains on the blends were also investigated. All the blends were biocompatible and hemocompatible. Adhesion of virulent E. coli was high with blood plasma protein pretreated blends than P. mirabilis. The pattern of encrustation of Ca, Mg, and P was similar on all the blends with calcium being the predominant encrustant. After 3 weeks, 3-10% weight loss was observed with maximum weight loss observed in the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) 10:90 based blend. The PLA based blend dominates all the other blends in all the aspects tested. © 2012 American Chemical Society.