Abstract: The strength and integrity of hydrophilic polyurethane resins prepared by reacting a diol component, an organic chain extender and an organic diisocyanate are improved by critical selection of the diol component, the amount of water in the reaction mixture and the mole ratios of the reactants. The diol component is at least one of (1) a long chain poly(oxyethylene) glycol of molecular weight above 2500 and (2) a medium chain poly(oxyethylene) glycol or polyester glycol of 250-2500 molecular weight. The chain extender is a difunctional compound having a molecular weight of less than 250. The amount of water in the reaction mixture is 0.5 to 2.5 weight % and the urea content of the resins is from about 13.6 to 33.7 weight %.

Abstract: A method for treating a body condition comprising introducing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polyether polyurethane into said body condition.

Abstract: The strength and integrity of hydrophilic polyurethane resins prepared by reacting a diol component, an organic chain extender and an organic diisocyanate are improved by critical selection of the diol component, the amount of water in the reaction mixture and the mole rations of the reactants. The diol component is at least one of (1) a long chain poly(oxyethylene) glycol of molecular weight above 2500 and (2) a medium chain poly(oxyethylene) glycol or polyester glycol of 250-2500 molecular weight. The chain extender is a difunctional compound having a molecular weight of less than 250. The amount of water in the reaction mixture is 0.5 to 2.5 weight % and the urea content of the resins is from about 13.6 to 33.7 weight %.

Abstract: Thermally reversible polyurethane hydrogels are formed by adding water to a gel forming hydrophilic polyurethane polymer produced by reacting under anhydrous conditions a non-aromatic organic diisocyanate with a glycol component in an NCO/OH mole weight ratio of from about 0.900/1 to about 0.980/1, the glycol component having a number average molecular weight of from about 1000 to 3500 wherein the percentage by weight of the diisocyanate in the reaction mixture is from about 7% to about 20%. The hydrogels are solids at room temperature but liquify at higher temperatures such as body temperature and therefore are useful as carriers for the protection, delivery and sustained release of a variety of active agents including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, living cells and organisms.

Abstract: Water absorptive polyurethane composition, having high mechanical strength, is formed of A. about 25% to about 75% of a hydrophilic polyether polyurethane which is the reaction product of diethylene glycol and a polyoxyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 1000 to about 8000 with a polyisocyanate and B. about 75% to about 25% of a hydrophobic polyester polyurethane which is the reaction product of a polyfunctional polyester derived from the condensation of a polyol with a polybasic acid with a polyisocyanate.

Abstract: The coefficient of friction of surfaces of articles, wherein the surface comprises a hydrophilic polyurethane polymer, is reduced by treating the surface with a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and a low molecular weight organic polyhydroxy compound, and removing excess treating mixture. Typical low friction articles produced thereby are boat hulls having drag resistant coatings, conduits having low friction linings, and cannula or body implants having slippery surfaces.

Abstract: Water absorptive polyurethane composition, having high mechanical strength, is formed of A. about 25% to about 75% of a hydrophilic polyether polyurethane which is the reaction product of diethylene glycol and a polyoxyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 1000 to about 8000 with a polyisocyanate and B. about 75% to about 25% of a hydrophobic polyester polyurethane which is the reaction product of a polyfunctional polyester derived from the condensation of a polyol with a polybasic acid with a polyisocyanate.

Abstract: Polyurethane acrylate compositions are obtained by reacting 100 parts of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin in the presence of from about 10 to about 50 parts of an acrylate. The resulting products will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane acrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that swell in water and have a variety of uses.

Abstract: Shaped three-dimensional structures formed of polyurethane polyene compositions obtained by reacting from about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of a polyene in the presence of about 100 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will swell and increase in weight upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, moisture vapor, ions, and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane polyene compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Three-dimensional substrates having on at least one surface a coating formed of a polyurethane polyene composition obtained by reacting from about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of a polyene in the presence of about 100 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. Transparent substrates are rendered antifogging by such coatings. The drag resistance of boat hulls may be decreased by a coating of the compositions and marine growth thereon may be inhibited by incorporating substances such as mercurous acetate in the coating.

Abstract: Polyurethane polyene compositions are obtained by reacting from about 10 to about 50 parts by weight of a polyene in the presence of about 100 parts by weight of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will swell and increase in weight upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, moisture vapor ions, and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Polyurethane quaternary ammonium salts are obtained by heating a solution of a polyurethane resin characterized by having present in the polymer backbone hydroxyl groups and at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of carboxylate radicals and carboxyl radicals dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent for the resin at a temperature above 64.degree. C. and below the decomposition temperature of said polyurethane resin with an organic chloride for a period of time; adding a strong base to the reaction mixture and continuing to heat said mixture to form a polyurethane quaternary ammonium hydroxide in solution; and precipitating the polyurethane quaternary ammonium hydroxide by pouring the reaction mixture into an excess of water.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The compositions are useful as carriers for pharmacologically active agents in forming an oral delivery system.

Abstract: Gas and ion permeable membranes useful as burn dressings, surgical drapes and the like formed of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are also permeable to other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Canulae formed of or having a coating of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Surgical implants, intrauterine devices and the like formed of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The shaped products contain distributed therein a desired medicament.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 30 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The compositions are useful for making contact lenses and numerous forms of surgical devices, among other things.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 30 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The resulting products will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Water insoluble polyurethane polyether polymers that are soluble in ethanol at pH 11 characterized by a molecular weight above 6,000 and having carboxylate groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone are prepared by reacting a mixture of polyols, a polyfunctional lactone and a polyfunctional isocyanate proportioned so as to provide the desired polymer properties. The polymer so prepared contains lactone groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone. The lactone ring is opened by treating the polymer with an alkaline aqueous solution of a water miscible organic solvent to produce a water insoluble polyurethane polyether resin containing carboxylate groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone. The carboxylate groups may be in the form of a carboxylic acid group or its alkali metal or quaternary ammonium salt. The product is soluble in mixtures of water with a water miscible organic solvent and may be used in the preparation of surgical drapes and burn dressings.

Abstract: Polyurethane polymers characterized by a molecular weight above 6,000 and having lactone groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone are prepared by reacting a mixture of polyols, a polyfunctional lactone and a polyfunctional isocyanate proportioned so as to provide the desired polymer properties. The product is soluble in alkaline solutions and may be used for light sensitive photographic layers on films, paper or glass; in drug delivery systems, as burn dressings, in body implants such as vascular prosthesis, in molding compositions, and in the manufacture of catheters. The novel polymers also find use in the manufacture of artificial finger nails, finger cots, adhesives, and in protective and hdyrostatic drag resistant coatings. The water absorptivity of the polyurethane lactone polymers is above 10%, preferably in the range of about 20% to 60%, and these polymers may range in their physical properties from rigid solids to completely gel-like high water absorptive polymers.