Increases in the number of ligament and tendon injuries, in combination with limited options for their repair and replacement, have created a demand for synthetic polymer based systems. Polyphosphazenes are a unique class of polymers with alternating nitrogen and phosphorus backbone atoms, with two organic groups attached to each phosphorus atom. Different side groups control the final polymer properties and allow for a high degree of optimization.  Previously studied amino acid containing polyphosphazenes, developed for scaffolding applications, were shown to be biocompatible and biodegradable. However, few showed elastomeric characteristics. In this investigation polyphosphazenes bearing amino acids and terpenes were developed and studied. Terpenes have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties that can enhance the biological activity of an artificial scaffold. They were also chosen as potential crosslinking agents to impart elastomeric behavior to the final material. The current goal is to generate bioactive, biodegradable, and elastomeric ligament and tendon tissue scaffolds.

Terpene containing polyphosphazenes as potential tissue engineering scaffolds

245th National Meeting (2013)

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