RAPID BIORESORBABLE Na2O-K2O-CaO-B2O3-P2O5 GLASSES

This Phase I proposal in research partnership with Rutgers the State University aims to explore the range of inorganic glass systems which are dissolvable in saline solutions at human body temperatures. Glasses in the Na2O-K2O-CaO-B2O3-P2O5 system with varying Na2O/K2O/CaO and B2O3/P2O5 will be melted. Glass substrates will be made which will be subjected to varying phase separation treatments in order to develop liquid-liquid metastable immiscibility similar to the well-known Na2O-B2O3-SiO2 glass system. Glasses will be characterized for formability, crystallization, and separation into submicron-sized droplet-phase or spinodally decomposed intertwined phases. The phase-separated microstructures will be studied for their dissolution rates in saline solution. The aim is to develop microstructures where differential solubility will cause dissolution/disintegration within 1/4 - 1 hour by exceeding rigidity percolation limit. Glass technology processes to obtain stent sizes used for photochemical tissue bonding in partnership with Harvard MGH (prior AFOSR awardee) to perform animal studies and preparation for steps to commercialize the technology will be Phase II focus. It is hoped that the technology will disruptively change how luminal support is provided to blood vessels anastomosis with patency and reduced risk of vascular thrombosis.