US 7,235,592 B2 · PVA hydrogel

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of making covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels having advantageous physical properties, and covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions made by such methods, as well as articles of manufacture comprising such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogel compositions. The physical properties of the produced hydrogels can be adjusted by varying controlled parameters such as the proportion of physical associations, the concentration of polymer and the amount of radiation applied. Such covalently crosslinked vinyl polymer hydrogels can be made translucent, preferably transparent, or opaque depending on the processing conditions. The stability of the physical properties of the produced vinyl polymer hydrogel can be enhanced by controlling the amount of covalent crosslinks.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A method of making a covalently cross-linked vinyl polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of:

providing a physically associated vinyl polymer hydrogel having a crystalline phase;
exposing the physically associated vinyl polymer hydrogel to an amount of ionizing radiation providing a radiation dose in the range of about 1-1,000 kGy effective to form covalent crosslinks;
and
removing physical associations by exposing the irradiated vinyl polymer hydrogel to a temperature above the melting point of the physically associated crystalline phase to produce a covalently cross-linked vinyl polymer hydrogel.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

PVA hydrogel

Life of this patent

PVA hydrogel

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38