| abstract |
In one or more embodiments, the present invention is directed to a implantable polymer mesh for use in hernia and other soft tissue repair made using amino acid based poly(ester urea) (PEU) polymers. In some embodiments, the implantable polymer mesh is made using linear or branched L -valine based PEUs and displays mechanical properties similar to poly(propylene) (PP), but with significantly less fibrous capsule formation. In some embodiments, the implantable polymer mesh is made using L -valine-co- L -phenylalanine PEUs. In some embodiments, the implantable polymer mesh is made using these PEUs in a composite with an extracellular matrix (ECM). In various embodiments, these amino acid-based PEU materials can be formed into implantable polymer mesh having a conventional size and shape by a wide variety of techniques including conventional compression molding, vacuum molding, blade coating, flow coating, and/or solvent casting. |