Abstract: A prosthetic spinal disc nucleus pulposus formed from a hydrogel formed by crosslinking a macromer having a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure and at least two pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and an amphiphilic comonomer.

Abstract: Embolic compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as embolic agents to block and fill lumens and spaces. The embolic compositions can be used as liquid embolic agents and crosslinked in situ or as preformed embolic articles, such as microspheres.

Abstract: This invention relates to antimicrobial lenses containing metals and methods for their production.

Abstract: The invention provides punctal plugs for the delivery of active agents. The plugs have a body throughout which at least one active agent is dispersed or that is coated with a polymeric material containing at least one active agent.

Abstract: The invention provides punctal plugs for the delivery of active agent to one or both of the tear fluid of the eye and to the nasolacrimal duct. The plugs of the invention have a body, a reservoir contained within the body, and optionally a collarette. The reservoir has at least one opening and contains a polymeric material and at least one active agent.

Abstract: A hydrogel string that is useful as a medical device and a method for forming a hydrogel string that utilizes a delivery device in which gelation of a prepolymer is initiated to form a hydrogel, which is then extruded from the device as the hydrogel string.

Abstract: Hydrogel biomedical articles formed from macromers having a polymeric backbone comprising 1,2-diol and/or 1,3-diol units, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers.

Abstract: A prosthetic spinal disc nucleus pulposus formed from a hydrogel formed by crosslinking a macromer having a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure and at least two pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and an amphiphilic comonomer.

Abstract: Biomaterial formed by crosslinking a macromer having a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure and at least two pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and an amphiphilic comonomer.

Abstract: Compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising units having a 1,2-diol and/or 1,3-diol structure for tissue bulking and coating. Such polymers include poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hydrolyzed copolymers of vinyl acetate, for example, copolymers with vinyl chloride, N-vinylpyrrolidone, etc. The backbone polymer contains pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as agents to hulk and coat tissues.

Abstract: A hydrogel string that is useful as a medical device and a method for forming a hydrogel string that utilizes a delivery device in which gelation of a prepolymer is initiated to form a hydrogel, which is then extruded from the device as the hydrogel string.

Abstract: Biodegradable biocompatible hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) and methods for their preparation. The methods for preparation of the hydrogels involve the use of prepolymers. The prepolymers have a PVA backbone and pendant chains that include a polymerizable group. In one embodiment, the pendant chains also include a biodegradable region. In another embodiment, biodegradable regions are incorporated into the hydrogel during its formation.

Abstract: Embolic compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as embolic agents to block and fill lumens and spaces. The embolic compositions can be used as liquid embolic agents and crosslinked in situ or as preformed embolic articles, such as microspheres.

Abstract: Coaxial catheter delivery devices, methods to form coaxial microcatheters, and methods to deliver two part compositions, especially useful for formation of coaxial microcatheters for use in delivery of two part compositions to the neurovascular system.

Abstract: An hydratable porous polymer comprising a polymerized polyorganosiloxane macromonomer of formula I Q—[M—L]c—M—Q  (I) wherein c is in the range of from 0 to 5, preferably in the range of from 0 to 3; M may be the same or different and is a difunctional block of molecular weight in the range of from 100 to 8000 and wherein at least one M comprises a residue from a difunctional polymer or copolymer comprising siloxane repeat units of formula II where R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, haloaryl, heterocyclyl, and haloheterocyclyl; L is a difunctional group; and Q may be the same or different and is a polymerizable group.

Abstract: Embolic compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising a polymeric backbone comprising units with a 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol structure, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as embolic agents to block and fill lumens and spaces. The embolic compositions can be used as liquid embolic agents and crosslinked in situ or as preformed embolic articles, such as microspheres.

Abstract: Compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising units having a 1,2-diol and/or 1,3-diol structure for tissue bulking and coating. Such polymers include poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hydrolyzed copolymers of vinyl acetate, for example, copolymers with vinyl chloride, N-vinylpyrrolidone, etc. The backbone polymer contains pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as agents to bulk and coat tissues.

Abstract: Compositions comprising macromers having a backbone comprising units having a 1,2-diol and/or 1,3-diol structure for tissue bulking and coating. Such polymers include poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and hydrolyzed copolymers of vinyl acetate, for example, copolymers with vinyl chloride, N-vinylpyrrolidone, etc. The backbone polymer contains pendant chains bearing crosslinkable groups and, optionally, other modifiers. When crosslinked, the macromers form hydrogels having many properties advantageous for use as agents to bulk and coat tissue.

Abstract: Methods for initiating formation of hydrogels in situ from a gellable composition and an initiator where the initiator is provided as a solid article or is contained in a solution infused to the intended site of formation of the hydrogel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to porous polymers incorporating dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and the like and their production. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates and like compounds, in both porous and non-porous forms, as substrates for the attachment and growth of mammalian cells and tissue. The invention also relates to the use of polymers derived from dihydroperfluoroalkyl acrylates and methacrylates as components of medical devices and prostheses, including implanted devices.