The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 02, 1998
Joseph A Akkara, Holliston, MA (US);
Ferdinando F Bruno, Andover, MA (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A method is described for a simple, fast and efficient synthesis of homopolymers and copolymers by the enzymatic ring opening polymerization of lactones and lactides. The enzyme used is an ion paired protease. The advantage of this enzymatic system is in using small amount of enzyme per monomer and lower reaction time. Homopolymers and copolymers are synthesized with molecular weights between 1000 and 4600 daltons, and dispersity as low as 1.1. The monomer conversion after 4 days, for reactions catalyzed by protease S, has reached 100%. Different initiators are used to control the rate and degree of polymerization. Synthesis of block copolymers with defined block size and crystallinity are described in this invention. These biodegradable and bioerodable polyesters and copolyesters with controlled molecular weight, dispersity and crystallinity have applications in medical, drug, cosmetic and food industries.