Abstract: A bio-degradable/absorbable barrier membrane is coated thereon with sucrose esters of fatty acids. The sucrose esters of fatty acids is one or more members selected from the group consisting of monoester, diester, and polyester. The fatty acid is one or more members selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, and myristic acid. These higher fatty acids may be mixed with a lower fatty acid.

Abstract: Biodegradable and resorbable surgical materials of molded articles of poly(lactic acid) or copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid, characterized in that the articles are molecular-orientated, and having a bending strength of 1.6.times.10.sup.33 to 2.5.times.10.sup.3 kg/cm.sup.2, a bending modulus of 5.5.times.10.sup.2 to 24.0.times.10.sup.2 kg/cm.sup.2, a crystallinity, determined by density measurement, of 10 to 60%, and a viscosity average molecular weight measured after melt processing of not less than 200,000, and in that at least 80% of initial strength of the articles is maintained after dipping in a saline at 37.degree. C. for three months.

Abstract: Microspheres comprising polylactic acid and a water soluble physiologically active substance and having a mean particle size of from about 0.01 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m, which show not more than 30% of an eluted amount of said physiologically active substance based on the content of said physiologically active substance in the polylactic acid type microspheres after 24 hours in in vitro elution test in phosphate buffer of pH 7.4 at 37.degree. C., and a process for preparing the same. The polylactic acid type microspheres of this invention is advantageous in that the active substance can be uniformly incorporated into the microspheres without loss of the activity, can gradually release the active substance for a long time of period of more than one week.

Abstract: A soft contact lens of PVA having a tensile strength of not less than 10 kg/cm.sup.2, a water content ranging from 40 to 95% by weight, a visible light transparency of not less than 90%, and an oxygen permeability of not less than 30.times.10.sup.-11 cm.sup.3 .multidot.(STP).multidot.cm/cm.sup.2 .multidot.sec.multidot.mmHg. This soft contact lens can be prepared by forming a solution of PVA in a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent, pouring the PVA solution in a mold having a shape of contact lens, and crystallizing at a temperature of not more than ordinary temperature. The soft contact lens has a high mechanical strength, high water content, high transparency and high oxygen permeability.

Abstract: A soft contact lens of PVA having a tensile strength of not less than 10 kg/cm.sup.2, a water content ranging from 40 to 95% by weight, a visible light transparency of not less than 90%, and an oxygen permeability of not less than 30.times.10.sup.-11 cm.sup.3.(STP).cm/cm.sup.2.sec.mmHg. This soft contact lens can be prepared by forming a solution of PVA in a mixed solvent of water and an organic solvent, pouring the PVA solution in a mold having a shape of contact lens, and crystallizing at a temperature of not more than ordinary temperature. The soft contact lens has a high mechanical strength, high water content, high transparency and high oxygen permeability.

Abstract: Transdermal dosage compositions are prepared from hydrated poly(vinyl alcohol) gels and pharmacologically active substances without any chemicals such as crosslinking agents and catalysts. Heating process is not involved in the gel preparation. High water contents of the gels enable the stratum corneum to be swollen, resulting in high permeation of drugs through the skin.

Abstract: High strength and modulus fibers are prepared from a poly(vinyl alcohol) solution in a mixed solvent consisting of water and water-miscible organic solvent. Upon extruding the poly(vinyl alcohol) solution into a coagulation bath, gel fibers are formed as a consequence of favorable gel structure with homogeneous net-works. Drawing the gel fibers to an exceedingly high degree leads to formation of poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers which have a superhigh tensile strength and a superhigh modulus.

Abstract: A porous gel containing an immobilized enzyme is prepared by mixing an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of not lower than 95 mol% and an average polymerization degree of not lower than 1,000, with an enzyme or enzyme-producing cell, and activated carbon powder, pouring the mixture into a container of any desired form, gelating and molding the mixture by dehydrating it up to a dehydration ratio of not lower than 50%, immersing the resulting molding in water, and drying the immersed molding. Preferably, dehydrating is by leaving the mixture to stand at room temperature or a temperature of from 30.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. The enzyme or enzyme-producing cell may be mixed with or adsorbed on an inorganic or organic carrier. The dried molding may be granulated.

Abstract: A porous and transparent hydrated gel is prepared from a poly(vinyl alcohol) solution in a mixed solvent consisting of water and an water-miscible organic solvent. Upon cooling the poly(vinyl alcohol) solution below room temperature, a gel is formed as a consequence of crystallization of poly(vinyl alcohol) molecules. Exchange of the organic solvent included in the gel with water produces a hydrated gel of poly(vinyl alcohol) which has a high tensile strength, a high water content, and a high light transmittance.