Biodegradable polymer networks based on oligolactide macromers: synthesis, properties and biomedical applications

presence of suitable initiators (di- and polyols, amino acid esters) and subsequent endgroup-functionalization of the formed oligolactides with methacrylate moities. The obtained liquid macromers are valuable building blocks for the preparation of biocompatible polymer networks. Based on these macromers, the fabrication and the material properties including biodegradation behaviour of highly porous polymer network devices will be described. The application of these materials as resorbable scaffolds in tissue engineering will be discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.