A method of agglomerating nanoparticles to form larger agglomerates is shown. The nanoparticles are mixed with a resin to form a first mixture (803) of agglomerates, having sizes over a range that includes agglomerates considered to be too large, suspended in the resin. A bead milling cylinder (802) produces a second mixture (808) with fewer large agglomerates. A filter (1001) removes the remaining large agglomerates. The resulting mill base is cut with a solvent before deployment.

A method of agglomerating nanoparticles to form larger agglomerates is shown. The nanoparticles are mixed with a resin to form a first mixture (803) of agglomerates, having sizes over a range that includes agglomerates considered to be too large, suspended in the resin. A bead milling cylinder (802) produces a second mixture (808) with fewer large agglomerates. A filter (1001) removes the remaining large agglomerates. The resulting mill base is cut with a solvent before deployment.

Provided are thermoplastic polymer particles having an aspect ratio of 1.00 or more and less than 1.05, and a roundness of 0.95 to 1.00. The thermoplastic polymer particles are formed from a thermoplastic polymer resin in a continuous matrix phase. The thermoplastic polymer particles show a peak cold crystallization temperature (T.sub.cc) at a temperature between a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and the melting point (T.sub.m) in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve which is derived from temperature rise analysis at 10° C./min by differential scanning calorimetry.

Provided are thermoplastic polymer particles having an aspect ratio of 1.00 or more and less than 1.05, and a roundness of 0.95 to 1.00. The thermoplastic polymer particles are formed from a thermoplastic polymer resin in a continuous matrix phase. The thermoplastic polymer particles show a peak cold crystallization temperature (T.sub.cc) at a temperature between a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and the melting point (T.sub.m) in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve which is derived from temperature rise analysis at 10° C./min by differential scanning calorimetry.

Disclosed is a biodegradable resin composite material including a biodegradable polymer resin and multifunctional particles, wherein: (a) the multifunctional particles include 10-70 wt. % of a hydrophobic active ingredient, 21-72 wt. % of a polysaccharide, 3.80-20 wt. % of a crosslinking agent, 1.00-6 wt. % of a catalyst, 0.10-5 wt. % of a silica flow aid, optionally 0.10-5 wt. % of a desiccant, optionally 0.20-20 wt. % emulsifier, optionally 1-10 wt. % of a degradation enhancer, and optionally 1-10 wt. % of particle dispersion aids; (b) the multifunctional particles are anhydrous; and (c) the hydrophobic active ingredient is encapsulated in a crosslinked polysaccharide matrix. Alternative multifunctional particles useful in the invention are also disclosed.

A process of preparing a compounded hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate) comprises providing a hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate), compounding in an extruder the hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate) and 0.05 wt % to 0.60 wt % of a multifunctional epoxide compounding stabilizer, based on the total weight of the compounded hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate), under vacuum of 17000 to 85000 Pascals, and a torque of 30% to 75%, to provide the compounded hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate). After compounding, at least one of the following apply: the inter-sample variability in molecular weight is less than 5%, wherein inter-sample variability is determined by comparing five 100 mil chips of the compounded hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate); the % weight average molecular weight (MW) difference is less than 5% after hydroaging at 85° C. and 85% humidity; or the compounded poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate) has less than 75 ppm of unreacted —COOH end groups measured by .sup.31P NMR.

A process of preparing a compounded hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate) comprises providing a hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate), compounding in an extruder the hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate) and 0.05 wt % to 0.60 wt % of a multifunctional epoxide compounding stabilizer, based on the total weight of the compounded hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate), under vacuum of 17000 to 85000 Pascals, and a torque of 30% to 75%, to provide the compounded hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate). After compounding, at least one of the following apply: the inter-sample variability in molecular weight is less than 5%, wherein inter-sample variability is determined by comparing five 100 mil chips of the compounded hydrostable poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate); the % weight average molecular weight (MW) difference is less than 5% after hydroaging at 85° C. and 85% humidity; or the compounded poly(aliphatic ester-carbonate) has less than 75 ppm of unreacted —COOH end groups measured by .sup.31P NMR.

The present invention is directed to compositions containing polymer matrix, fiber and/or additives which are suitable for load bearing applications for medical devices. The matrix can be formed from a group of polymers which resorb inside the body after implantation. These compositions contain reinforcing fibers that are incorporated into a resorbable polymer matrix to improve properties such as mechanical. The reinforcing fibers can be resorbable, non-resorbable, natural, or metallic. Additives can be incorporated into the matrix material or the fibers or both to provide a secondary effect. These additives can be bioceramics to provide an osteoconductive effect; antimicrobial particles such as silver; coloring agents, and radiopaque additives to make the implants visible under fluoroscopy. The additives may also contribute to improve mechanical properties. The Composite composition with Matrix, Fibers and/or additives can provide enhanced functionality of mechanical, Osteoconductive and tailored degradation characteristics that can result in superior properties conventionally not achievable for Bioresorbable composites.

The present invention is directed to compositions containing polymer matrix, fiber and/or additives which are suitable for load bearing applications for medical devices. The matrix can be formed from a group of polymers which resorb inside the body after implantation. These compositions contain reinforcing fibers that are incorporated into a resorbable polymer matrix to improve properties such as mechanical. The reinforcing fibers can be resorbable, non-resorbable, natural, or metallic. Additives can be incorporated into the matrix material or the fibers or both to provide a secondary effect. These additives can be bioceramics to provide an osteoconductive effect; antimicrobial particles such as silver; coloring agents, and radiopaque additives to make the implants visible under fluoroscopy. The additives may also contribute to improve mechanical properties. The Composite composition with Matrix, Fibers and/or additives can provide enhanced functionality of mechanical, Osteoconductive and tailored degradation characteristics that can result in superior properties conventionally not achievable for Bioresorbable composites.

Polymer fine particles having a number average particle diameter of 50 to 450 nm and a CV value of particle diameter on a number basis of 5% or less, or polymer fine particles having a structural color development property when arranged. An acid value of the polymer fine particles is 5 to 38 mg KOH/g. An emulsion in which the polymer fine particles are dispersed in a medium mainly containing water. In addition, a structure in which the polymer fine particles are arranged and develop color.