Back to all Services

About bioabsorbable polymers

PLA, PGA, PCL, and their copolymers are commonly used for a host of applications in a variety of industries. The strength of PLA, along with its biocompatibility, has made it an ideal choice for many medical implantable devices. 

  • Approaches

    /Since 1987 we have been providing testing solutions for resorbable bioplastics. We have a variety of characterization and release testing methods in place for resorbable polymers and copolymers. Additionally, we are able to develop and validate customized methods. 
     
    Test methods we use to analyze resorbable or bioabsorbable polymers include:
    • Inherent and Intrinsic Viscosity (Chloroform and HFIP)
    • Gel Permeation Chromatography/Size Exclusion Chromatography (GPC/SEC) (THF, Chloroform, HFIP)
    • Absolute molecular weight by GPC-MALS and relative molecular weight
    • Residual Monomer via Gas Chromatography (GC-FID)
    • Residual Solvents via Gas Chromatography
    • Hydroxyl End Group Titration
    • Carboxylic Acid End Group Titration
    • Degradation and Aging Studies
    • Comonomer Ratios by NMR
    • Density
    • Heavy Metals
    • Sulfated Ash
    • Moisture by Karl Fischer Titration (KFT)
    • Differential Scanning Calorimetry for Tg, Tm, and Crystallinity (DSC)
    • Tin Content by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES)
    • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
    • Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS)
    • Mechanical Testing
    • In vitro testing and stability studies

     

  • Sample Considerations

    There are numerous ways to approach the testing of bioabsorbable polymers and each approach has different sample requirements. The first step is getting in touch with us to discuss your testing needs. Our team will work with you to develop a unique testing plan that will achieve your goals and will provide guidance about the best way to provide us with samples.

    Please contact us to get that conversation started. 

  • Experience

    We have extensive experience testing PLA, PGA, PCL, and their copolymers. 

    Examples of products we've tested that use resorbable polymers, include:

    • Stents
    • Tissue scaffolds
    • Drug delivery systems 
    • Regenerative medicine devices
    • Suspensions
    • Sutures
    • Screws
    • Plates
    • Hydroxyapatite filled polymer
    • Tricalcium phosphate filled polymer