This invention relates to a blend of biodegradable polymers comprising (A) about 5 % to about 95 % by weight of at least one flexible biodegradable polymer (A) having a glass transition less than about 0 °C, (B) about 5 % to about 95 % by weight of at least one rigid biodegradable polymer (B) having a glass transition greater than about 10 °C, and (C) about 0.25 to about 10 weight % of at least one compatibilizer (C), said percentages being based on the total weight of the polymer blend; where the polymer blend has a higher zero shear melt viscosity than polymers (A) and (B) separately.

Compatibilized blends of biodegradable polymers with improved rheology

An intravascular stent includes an eluting sheath fabricated from a mesh for controlled release of therapeutic drugs and for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel. The eluting sheath is attached to at least a portion of an outside surface area of the stent structure and is fabricated from a mesh designed to neck down in response to a radially outward directed force resulting in the uniform expansion of the stent. The eluting sheath can be loaded with at least one therapeutic drug for the release thereof at a treatment site to facilitate repair of a damaged vessel. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.

Drug-eluting stent cover and method of use

Fibrous sheets are coated or impregnated with a biodegradable composition to render the sheets more resistant to penetration by liquids. Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for use in coating or impregnating a fibrous sheet can be manufactured from at least one 'hard' biodegradable polymer and at least one 'soft' biodegradable polymer. 'Hard' biopolymers typically have a glass transition temperature of at least about 10°C. 'Soft' biodegradable polymers typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0°C. Another useful biodegradable polymer composition includes one or more biodegradable polymers and sufficient inorganic filler so as to render the treated sheet microwaveable. The biodegradable polymer compositions are especially well-suited for coating or impregnating paper sheets, e.g., 12-15 lb/3000 ft2 tissue paper to yield food wraps. Food wraps will typically be manufactured to have good 'dead-fold' properties so as to remain in a wrapped position and not spring back to an 'unwrapped' form.

Fibrous sheets coated or impregnated with biodegradable polymers or polymers blends

An apparatus and method provide therapy to a patient having, or who may potentially develop, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by abnormal proteins or prions or related deposits. The apparatus includes an emitter means to deliver acoustic, ultrasonic or vibratory energy in, into or from within a region of the patient's brain or spine which contains or is transportably-coupled to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood capable of bearing or bearing a chemical or biological species, reactant, fragment or byproduct of the disease.

Acoustically-aided cerebrospinal-fluid manipulation for neurodegenerative disease therapy

A multi-layer film with barrier properties having one or more layers made from a bio-based film is disclosed. In one aspect, the print web comprises a bio-based film. The bio-based film can comprises polylactide or polyhydroxy-alkanoate. Unlike prior art petroleum-based films, the bio-based film of the present invention is made from a renewable resource and is biodegradable.

Environmentally-friendly multi-layer flexible film having barrier properties

Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for laminate coatings, wraps and other packaging materials are manufactured from a blend of suitable biodegradable polymers, such as at least one “hard” biopolymer and at least one “soft” biopolymer. “Hard” biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C. “Soft” biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. While hard and soft polymers each possess certain intrinsic benefits, certain blends of hard and soft polymers have been discovered which possess synergistic properties superior to those of either hard or soft polymers by themselves. Biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, thermoplastic starch, and other natural polymers. The polymer blends may optionally include an inorganic filler. Films and sheets made from the polymer blends may be textured so as to increase the bulk hand feel. Wraps will typically be manufactured to have good “dead-fold” properties so as to remain in a wrapped position and not spring back to an “unwrapped” form.

Simon K. Hodson

Papers

Biodegradable polymer blends for use in making films, sheets and other articles of manufacture