Shape-memory bioresorbable terpolymer composite with antirestenotic drug

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) that combine shape-memory, biodegradability, and controlled drug release properties are very promising for medical and pharmaceutical application. Moreover, incorporation of antirestenotic drug into SMP biodegrad- able stent seems to be an interesting solution because of possibility to combine the mechanical support that provides stent and also drug elution. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of incorporation of sirolimus into poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide-co-trimethy- lene carbonate) on physicochemical and mechanical properties, degradation, and shape-memory effect of the terpolymer. For this purpose, sirolimus was incorporated into the terpolymer by injection molding method. It has been demonstrated that drug-free ter- polymer after injection molding characterized insignificant changes in terpolymer composition. Degradation of materials during proc- essing was not observed. Incorporation of drug molecules did not change shape-memory properties of terpolymer. 1 H- and 13 C-NMR spectra of poly(lactide-co-glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate) confirmed that changes during degradation were similar for terpolymer and terpolymer with sirolimus. Sustained and regular release of sirolimus was observed. The developed material presents potential for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. V C 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41902.