Branched block copolymer photocrosslinkers functionalized with photoreactive groups and their use in shaping degradable photocrosslinked elastomers suitable for medical and tissue engineering applications

The present invention relates to novel degradable branched block copolymers comprising a star copolymer central core or a linear copolymer central core functionalized with a photoreactive group selected from aryl azide groups, (meth) acrylate groups or thiol groups. The invention also relates to the use of these degradable branched block copolymers as photocrosslinkers for providing degradable photocrosslinked elastomers, which are suitable as biomaterials for medical and tissue engineering applications. Also provided is a method for preparing a degradable photo-crosslinked polymer, preferably a degradable photo-crosslinked elastomer, starting from the branched block copolymer of the invention by a shaping process and irradiation step. 本发明涉及新型可降解支化嵌段共聚物，其包含星形共聚物中央核心或线形共聚物中央核心，由选自芳基叠氮基、(甲基)丙烯酸酯基或硫醇基的光反应性基团官能化。本发明还涉及这些可降解支化嵌段共聚物作为光交联剂用于提供可降解光交联弹性体的用途，所述可降解光交联弹性体作为生物材料适用于医疗应用和组织工程应用。还提供了一种用于从本发明的支化嵌段共聚物开始通过成形加工和照射步骤来制备可降解光交联聚合物(优选可降解光交联弹性体)的方法。