Absorbable polymers deliver medications

TissueGen® Inc., Dallas, Texas, has developed a breakthrough drug-delivery system that consists of polymers that can be integrated into implantable fabrics and medical devices. The polymer technology includes fiber extrusion at room temperature, which preserves the biological activity of therapeutic agents that might be deteriorated under high temperature extrusion techniques. Biomedical Structures LLC, Warwick, R.I., a developer of biomedical textiles, will integrate the polymers into drug-releasing medical devices, such as small diameter vascular grafts and stents, sutures and other implantable technologies. The unique polymer process can be used for many drugs and other therapeutics, such as enzymes and growth factors, and can be custom engineered for specific applications. Drugs are incorporated into the fabrics using commercially available polymer components, including polylactic acid and polydioxanone.