A method for forming a preform for a thermoplastic retention device is provided. The method includes providing a thermoplastic base material and blending the base material with one or more chemical agents to form a polymer blend. The chemical agents are configured to modify a polymer chain of the base material when the polymer blend is exposed to radiation. The method further includes forming the polymer blend into a filament sized for a three-dimensional printing platform and printing a preform shape from the filament using the three-dimensional printing platform. After the printed preform is hardened, the method includes exposing the printed preform shape to radiation sufficient to cause a reaction between the one or more chemical agents and the base material.

This invention relates to the composition of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable fillers. The invention further relates to processing of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable fillers. The invention relates also to the use of such materials for applications in fast degradation applications. The invention also relates to the composition of flexible resorbable polymers with rigid resorbable for making shape memory materials. This invention also related to the processing of such materials by extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, solvent mixing, and additive manufacturing. The invention also relates to the use of such materials as bone filler, vascular closure and other hemostasis devices, aneurysms, and stent applications. The invention also relates to the use of such materials as drug delivery platforms.

Provided is a biopolymer composition, a preparation method for the same, and a bioplastic using the same, the biopolymer composition comprising at least 83.5 weight% of a copolymer resin of lactic acid (LA) and 3- hydroxypropionate (3HP), an antioxidant, and a lubricant, and the composition having an elongation percentage of at least 90% but not greater than 500%.

Compositions-of-matter comprising a matrix made of one or more, preferably two or more elastic layers and one or more viscoelastic layer are disclosed. The compositions-of-matter are characterized by high water-impermeability and optionally by self-recovery. Processes of preparing the compositions-of-matter and uses thereof as tissue substitutes or for repairing damaged tissues are also disclosed.

Methods to fabricate objects by 3D printing of poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) and copolymers thereof have been developed. In one method, these objects are produced by continuous fused filament fabrication using an apparatus and conditions that overcome the problems of poor feeding of the filament resulting from the low softening temperature of the filament and heat creep along the fed filament. Methods using an apparatus including a heat sink, a melt tube, a heating block and nozzle, and a transition zone between the heat sink and heating block, with the melt tube extending through the heat sink, transition zone, and heat block to the nozzle are disclosed. 3D objects are also printed by fused pellet deposition (FPD), melt extrusion deposition (MED), selective laser melting (SLM), printing of slurries and solutions using a coagulation bath, and printing using a binding solution and polymer granules.

A biodegradable bioplastic composition of from 80 wt % to 95 wt % of a polymer having one or more thermoplastic polyester polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and from 5 wt % to 20 wt % an organic dispersed within the polymer. The biodegradable bioplastic composition is devoid of petrochemically derived components, fossil fuel derived components, processing aids, and plasticizer additives. A process is also disclosed for preparing the biodegradable bioplastic composition. The process involves compounding one or more thermoplastic polyester polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and an organic to form a mixture and homogenizing the mixture. Homogenizing includes feeding the mixture to a first extruder and extruding the mixture to form a composite composition and feeding the composite composition to a second extruder and extruding the composite composition to form the biodegradable bioplastic composition.

A packaging film is provided. The packaging film includes a polymer matrix composed of poly (butylene succinate) (PBS), and a modified tapioca starch (TPS), where a weight ratio (w/w) of the PBS to the TPS is in a range of 3:2 to 2:3. The packaging film also includes an antimicrobial composite including an organometallic compound dispersed within the polymer matrix. The packaging film has a water vapor permeability in a range of 94,000-95,000 micrometer gram per second per square meter per pascal (g.Math.μm/m.sup.2.Math.s.Math.Pa). A method to prepare the packaging film is also disclosed. The packaging films of the present disclosure prevent or inhibit the growth of gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria, particularly on food surfaces.

Methods to produce laminates including layers of constructs made from P4HB and copolymers thereof have been developed. These laminates may be used as medical implants, or further processed to make medical implants. The laminates are produced at a temperature equal to or greater than the softening points of the P4HB or copolymers thereof. The layers may include oriented forms of the constructs. Orientation can be preserved during lamination so that the laminate is also oriented, when the laminates are formed at temperatures less than the de-orientation temperatures of the layers. The laminate layers may include, for example, films, textiles, including woven, knitted, braided and non-woven textiles, foams, thermoforms, and fibers. The laminates preferably include one or more oriented P4HB films.

This disclosure relates to a material set including a build material for 3-D printing including particles of a polymer comprising polymer chains having at least one reactive group that is protected with a protecting group. The material set further includes an inkjet composition including a de-protecting agent for removal of the protecting group, and a liquid carrier.

A braided thermoplastic ribbon is disclosed having fully impregnated filaments. The ribbon is formed by a thermoplastic prepreg having a plurality of continuous fibers that are substantially oriented in a longitudinal direction, the continuous fibers constituting from about 30 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the prepreg, a first resinous matrix that contains a first set of one or more thermoplastic polymers and within which the continuous fibers are embedded, wherein the thermoplastic polymers constitute from about 30 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the prepreg, and a second resinous matrix that contains a second set of one or more thermoplastic polymers, wherein the second set of thermoplastic polymers constitute from about 30 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of the prepreg.