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AssigneeCambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Ruberti, Gavin Braithwaite
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In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides methods of controllably making a vinyl polymer hydrogel having desired physical properties without chemical cross links or radiation. The gelation process is modulated by controlling, for example the temperature of a resultant vinyl polymer mixture having a gellant or using active ingredients provided in an inactive gellant complex. In accordance with a preferred embodiment the method of manufacturing a vinyl polymer hydrogel includes the steps of providing a vinyl polymer solution comprising a vinyl polymer dissolved in a first solvent; heating the vinyl polymer solution to a temperature elevated above the melting point of the physical associations of the vinyl polymer, mixing the vinyl polymer solution with a gellant wherein the resulting mixture has a higher Flory interaction parameter than the vinyl polymer solution: inducing gelation of the mixture of vinyl polymer solution and gellant; and controlling the gelation rate to form a viscoelastic solution wherein workability is maintained for a predetermined period thereby making a vinyl polymer hydrogel having the desired physical property. In further preferred embodiments the present invention provides physically crosslinked hydrogels produced by controlled gelation of viscoelastic solution wherein workability is maintained for a predetermined period. In another aspect, the present invention provides kits for use in repairing intervertebral disks or articulated joints including components that form the vinyl polymer hydrogel and a dispenser.
1-163. (canceled)
A physically cross-linked gel produced by the method of comprising:
A physically cross-linked hydrogel substantially free of chemical crosslinkers.
A physically cross-linked hydrogel comprising at least about 10 weight percent polyvinyl alcohol solution gelled by immersion in about 2 to about 3 molar sodium chloride wherein the hydrogel is about 14 percent to about 21 percent physically crosslinked.
An article of manufacture comprising a vinyl polymer gel having at least one gradient of mechanical properties.
A one-piece prosthetic intervertebral disk comprising a polyvinyl polymer hydrogel wherein the distribution of mechanical properties of the one-piece prosthetic intervertebral disk approximates the spatial distribution of the mechanical properties of the combination of the nucleus pulposis and the annulus fibrosis of the natural intervertebral disk.
A prosthetic intervertebral disk comprising a biocompatible vinyl polymer hydrogel having a desired physical property, wherein the biocompatible vinyl polymer hydrogel is formed by a method comprising the steps of:
A prosthetic intervertebral disk comprising a biocompatible vinyl polymer hydrogel having a desired physical property, wherein the biocompatible vinyl polymer hydrogel is formed by a method comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.