A method of forming a three-dimensional object, is carried out by (a) providing a carrier and a build plate, the build plate comprising a semipermeable member, the semipermeable member comprising a build surface with the build surface and the carrier defining a build region therebetween, and with the build surface in fluid communication by way of the semipermeable member with a source of polymerization inhibitor; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid, the polymerizable liquid contacting the build surface, (c) irradiating the build region through the build plate to produce a solid polymerized region in the build region, while forming or maintaining a liquid film release layer comprised of the polymerizable liquid formed between the solid polymerized region and the build surface, wherein the polymerization of which liquid film is inhibited by the polymerization inhibitor; and (d) advancing the carrier with the polymerized region adhered thereto away from the build surface on the build plate to create a subsequent build region between the polymerized region and the build surface while concurrently filling the subsequent build region with polymerizable liquid as in step (b). Apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

PLA polymers that can be expanded into microporous articles having a node and fibril microstructure are provided. The fibrils contain PLA polymer chains oriented with the fibril axis. Additionally, the PLA polymers have an inherent viscosity greater than about 3.8 dL/g and a calculated molecular weight greater than about 150,000 g/mol. The PLA polymer article may be formed by bulk polymerization where the PLA bulk polymer is made into a preform that is subsequently expanded at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point of the PLA polymer. In an alternate embodiment, a PLA polymer powder is lubricated, the lubricated polymer is subjected to pressure and compression to form a preform, and the preform is expanded to form a microporous article. Both the preform and the microporous article are formed at temperatures above the glass transition temperature and below the melting point of the PLA polymer.

Provided herein according to aspects of the present invention are resins that: (a) are suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques such as bottom-up and top-down stereolithography, (b) produce objects that are bioresorbable, and (c) produce obects that are flexible or elastic (preferably at at least typical room temperatures of 25° C., and in some embodiments at typical human body temperatures of 37° C.). Such resins may include: (a) a bioresorbable polyester oligomer having reactive end groups; (b) non-reactive diluent; (c) optionally reactive diluent; and (d) a photoinitiator.

3D printing of biopolymer-based inks provides for manufacturing a broad range of products with desirable properties. A print nozzle may be charged to form a cone-shaped ink droplet to result in increased resolution, more reliable contact with irregular surfaces, and a mechanism to control contacting the ink to the print surface.

A multi-element, bioresorbable, vascular stent may be used to maintain or enhance patency of a blood vessel. The stent may be used in peripheral blood vessels, which may be long and/or tortuous. By using multiple, separate stent elements that are balloon expandable, the multi-element stent may be stronger than a traditional self-expanding stent but may also be more flexible, due to its multiple-element configuration, than a traditional balloon-expandable stent. Thus, the multi-element, bioresorbable, vascular stent described herein may be particularly advantageous for treating long lesions in tortuous peripheral blood vessels.

Described herein are strength characteristics and biodegradation of articles produced using one or more petrochemical-based polymers and one or more carbohydrate-based polymers. A compatibilizer can optionally be included in the article. In some cases, the article can include a film or bag.

Polymeric composite stents reinforced with fibers for implantation into a bodily lumen are disclosed.

An implantable medical device includes a body that has a flexible outer layer encapsulating a composition. The composition includes one or more first microspheres, one or more second microspheres, and a carrier. Each first microsphere includes a first therapeutic agent and a wall containing a first biodegradable polymer that encapsulates the first therapeutic agent. Each second microsphere includes a second therapeutic agent and a wall containing a biodegradable polymer that encapsulates the second therapeutic agent.

The present invention has an object of providing a molded article of a composite structure obtained by bonding a polar thermoplastic resin, especially polyacetal, with another resin in a simple manner. According to the present invention, a molded article of a composite structure obtained by bonding a polar thermoplastic resin and a resin containing an aliphatic ester structure as a main component to each other in the state where at least a face at which both of the materials contact each other is in a melted state can be provided.

A method of manufacturing a biodegradable dry cleaning bag is disclosed, the method including loading an environmentally friendly slurry into a hopper, extruding the environmentally friendly slurry, passing the environmentally friendly slurry through a die, inflating the environmentally friendly slurry into a cylindrical shape, thereby creating a cylindrical member, passing the cylindrical member over a first roller, and rolling the cylindrical member onto a roll.