Blend hydrogels and methods of making
AssigneeZimmer Technology, Inc.
InventorsBrian Thomas, Donald Yakimicki, Robert Hudgins
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Abstract
The present invention provides blend water-swellable materials and hydrogels suitable for use in biomedical or other applications. The blend water swellable materials and hydrogels have at least one hydrophilic polymer and at least one other polymer or oligomer having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic recurring units where the blend phase separates and is opaque and immiscible in the presence of water. Methods of making these blend water-swellable materials and hydrogels are also described.
Claims26
A water-swellable material comprising a non-adhesive blend of
- a) at least one hydrophilic polymer;
- and
- b) at least one polymer or oligomer having hydrophobic and hydrophilic recurring units, wherein the blend phase separates and is immiscible in the presence of water.
A hydrogel in hydrated form comprising a non-adhesive, phase separated blend of polymers comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) and a polymer having hydrophobic and hydrophilic recurring units.
A method for making a water-swellable material, comprising:
- a) dissolving a blend of polymers comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) and a polymer having hydrophobic and hydrophilic recurring units in a suitable polar solvent including at least a minor fraction of water to produce a miscible blend;
- and
- b) at least partially physically crosslinking the miscible blend to provide the water-swellable material.
A method of using a thermoplastic water-swellable material to produce a hydrogel, the method comprising:
- a) heating the thermoplastic material to a flow temperature to provide a flowable material;
- b) cooling the flowable material to solidify the thermoplastic material;
- and
- c) contacting the thermoplastic material with water or an aqueous solution to produce a hydrogel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.