The present invention relates to polymer compositions comprising at least one basic additive, and processes comprising at least one process step to obtain the polymer composition or articles comprising the polymer composition. The polymer composition generally displays an enhanced biodegradability.

Microneedle arrays and methods of forming the same can include one or more bioactive components bonded to a biocompatible material such that the one or more bioactive components are cleavable in vivo to release the bioactive component from the biocompatible material.

A preform is disclosed for producing a plastic container. The production of the preform as well as a plastic container that is produced from the preform and its production are also disclosed.

A method is disclosed for producing thin-walled small plastic parts having an average wall thickness of less than about 1.5 mm, wherein the small plastic parts are produced in a plastic injection-molding method from polyethylene furanoate (PEF) having a viscosity of, for example, 0.3 dl/g to 0.7 dl/g, for example, preferably less than e.g., 0.6 dl/g, measured according to a measurement method as per ASTM D4603, which polyethylene furanoate has an exemplary water content of less than 100 ppm in the plastic injection process.

In an apparatus for manufacturing a hybrid scaffold, a first strand having bin compatible polymer and a second strand having a mixture of bio compatible material and cells alternate with each other. Thus, mechanical strength of the hybrid scaffold is improved, and the cells uniformly grow among entire region of the scaffold. Furthermore, diameters of the first and second strands and interval between the first and second strands are precisely controlled. Thus, the hybrid scaffold is precisely manufactured according to a scaffold design.

The invention provides implantable drug delivery devices comprising a core comprising a polymer (or polymer blend) and one or more drugs or pharmaceutical substances, and an outer shell comprising a polymer (or polymer blend) and one or more porogen materials. The invention reduces burst release of drug. Pharmaceuticals such as triiodothyronine (T3) or ropinirole can be delivered by the devices.

The resin composition of the present invention comprises 40 to 98 parts by mass of a modified starch (A), 2 to 60 parts by mass of a polyvinyl alcohol (B) having a degree of saponification of 75.0 mol% or more, and optionally a clay (C), wherein the total content of the (A), (B) and (C) is 100 parts by mass, and the peak temperature of tan δ in measurement of dynamic viscoelasticity in a range of 20° C. to 150° C. is 128° C. or lower.

A device is provided for making an implant having a hollow region, the device comprising a print surface rotatable in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction about an axis of rotation; a print head disposed adjacent to and substantially transverse to the print surface, the print head configured to apply material used to make the implant on at least a portion of the print surface or heat material disposed on at least a portion of the print surface used to make the implant; and a base disposed adjacent to the print head and contacting the print surface, the base configured to be movable in forward, backward and lateral directions relative to the print head to make the implant having the hollow region. Methods of using the device and are also disclosed.

An example extrusion system includes a die including a circular cross-section disposed about an axis, and a plurality of slits disposed in the die and circumferentially spaced about a periphery of the die. Each of the plurality of slits has a generally rectangular cross-section. A ratio of a number of slits comprising the plurality of slits to a distance between the plurality of slits is between approximately 144:1 and 96:1. A method of forming a biodegradable component with an extrusion system is also disclosed.

Methods are disclosed including thermally processing a scaffold to increase the radial strength of the scaffold when the scaffold is deployed from a crimped state to a deployed state such as a nominal deployment diameter. The thermal processing may further maintain or increase the expansion capability of the scaffold when expanded beyond the nominal diameter.