Pressure-sensitive medical sealant

A method of preparing a medical sealant composition, comprising the steps of

• (a) preparing a mixture comprising at least one polymerizable monomeric species, and a crosslinker which is a multiethylenically unsaturated compound wherein the ethylenic groups are vinyl groups, allyl groups, or methallyl groups bonded to nitrogen or oxygen atoms, wherein at least 50 percent by weight of the monomeric component is comprised of one or more N-vinyl lactams and said crosslinker is present in a concentration of about 0.02 to 5.0 percent by weight of said N-vinyl lactam monomer;
• (b) exposing said composition to sufficient energy to result in the formation of a crosslinked swellable polymeric matrix;
• (c) grinding said polymer into a powder having an average particle size of less than about 0.25 cm;
• (d) adding said powder to a plasticizer solution having an antimicrobial therein, said plasticizing solution being present in a concentration of between about 55 and less than about 95 percent by weight of said medical sealant composition, said antimicrobial being present in a concentration of between about 0.01 and 10 percent by weight of said medical sealant composition and said powder, plasticizing solution and antimicrobial being present in a concentration sufficient to provide said medical sealant composition with a T-Peel value of at least about 3 g/cm when measured on low density polyethylene, as described herein.

A method of preparing a medical sealant composition, comprising the steps of

• (a) preparing a mixture comprising at least one polymerizable monomeric species, and a crosslinker which is a multiethylenically unsaturated compound wherein the ethylenic groups are vinyl groups, allyl groups, or methallyl groups bonded to nitrogen or oxygen atoms, and an antimicrobial, wherein at least 50 percent by weight of the monomeric component is comprised of one or more N-vinyl lactams and said crosslinker is present in a concentration of about 0.02 to 5.0 percent by weight of said N-vinyl lactam monomer, and said antimicrobial being present in a concentration sufficient to provide the resultant medical sealant composition with about 0.01 to 10 percent by weight antimicrobial;
• (b) exposing said composition to sufficient energy to result in the formation of a crosslinked swellable polymeric matrix;
• (c) grinding said polymer into a powder having an average particle size of less than about 0.25 cm;
• (d) adding said powder to a plasticizer solution, said plasticizing solution being present in a concentration of between about 55 and less than about 95 percent by weight of said medical sealant composition, and said powder and plasticizing solution being present in a concentration sufficient to provide said medical sealant composition with a T-Peel value of at least about 3 g/cm when measured on low density polyethylene, as described herein.