Characterization of the mechanical and structural properties of PGA/TMC copolymer for cardiac tissue engineering

Recently, scientific research has confirmed that a single polymer material cannot meet the ambitions of all surgical requirements. Thus, combinations of different types of polymeric materials are used in order to manufacture different suture materials. A copolymer of Polyglycolide (PGA) and trimethylene carbonate (TMC) is one of the simplest bioabsorbable monofilament sutures. The optical properties of PGA/TMC copolymer surgical suture were investigated by using multiple-beam interferometric of Fizeau type. The mechanical properties were measured by a suture-drawing apparatus attached to the multiple-beam interferometric system. The refractive indices, stress-strain curve, elastic shear modulus, Young's modulus and crosslink density were investigated for the PGA/TMC surgical suture at various draw ratios. The biological activities were conducted by Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSAR) descriptors. Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MESP) maps were used to describe the reactivity and functional active sites for the given molecule. The behavior of stress-strain curve confirms the compatibility of the suture with the sternum which proves that this suture is a good candidate for cardiac operations.