Abstract: The disclosed technology provides thermoplastic polyurethane compositions having antimicrobial properties while still maintaining good physical properties and good non-fouling properties, methods of making the same, and articles, including medical devices, made from such compositions. The disclosed technology includes a process of making an antimicrobial polymer composition, where the process includes mixing an antimicrobial additive into a base polymer and further includes mixing in a non-fouling additive, where the antimicrobial additive is chemically held in the composition and the antimicrobial and non-fouling additives do not negatively impact each other's effectiveness.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides thermoplastic polyurethane compositions having non-leaching antimicrobial properties while still maintaining good physical properties, methods of making the same, and articles, including medical devices, made from such compositions. The disclosed technology includes a process of making an antimicrobial polymer composition, where the process includes mixing an antimicrobial additive into a polymeric material; wherein said polymeric material comprises a polymeric backbone made up of urethane linkages derived from a polyisocyanate and a polyol; and wherein said mixing occurs under conditions that result in the breaking of a minority of said urethane bonds resulting in reactive isocyanate groups; and wherein two or more of said reactive isocyanate groups react with said antimicrobial additive to covalently bond said antimicrobial additive into the polymeric backbone of said polymeric material; resulting in an antimicrobial polymer composition.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides thermoplastic polyurethane compositions having non-leaching antimicrobial properties while still maintaining good physical properties, methods of making the same, and articles, including medical devices, made from such compositions. The disclosed technology includes a process of making an antimicrobial polymer composition, where the process includes mixing an antimicrobial additive into a polymeric material; wherein said polymeric material comprises a polymeric backbone made up of urethane linkages derived from a polyisocyanate and a polyol; and wherein said mixing occurs under conditions that result in the breaking of a minority of said urethane bonds resulting in reactive isocyanate groups; and wherein two or more of said reactive isocyanate groups react with said antimicrobial additive to covalently bond said antimicrobial additive into the polymeric backbone of said polymeric material; resulting in an antimicrobial polymer composition.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides thermoplastic polyurethane compositions having antimicrobial properties while still maintaining good physical properties and good non-fouling properties, methods of making the same, and articles, including medical devices, made from such compositions. The disclosed technology includes a process of making an antimicrobial polymer composition, where the process includes mixing an antimicrobial additive into a base polymer and further includes mixing in a non-fouling additive, where the antimicrobial additive is chemically held in the composition and the antimicrobial and non-fouling additives do not negatively impact each other's effectiveness.

Abstract: A surface-modified polymer composition formed from an oligomeric or polymeric additive and a base polymer is disclosed. The surface-modified polymer provides non-fouling and/or non-thrombogenic properties. The composition is particularly useful in articles and materials for medical applications.

Abstract: A biocidally active polymer composition formed from an oligomeric or polymeric additive and a thermoplastic polyurethane polymer is disclosed. The biocidally active polymer may further include a non-fouling and/or non-thrombogenic polymer. The biocidally active polymer provides biocidally active properties, and may also provide non-fouling and/or non-thrombogenic properties. The composition is particularly useful in articles and materials for medical applications.

Abstract: The disclosed technology provides thermoplastic polyurethane compositions having non-leaching antimicrobial properties while still maintaining good physical properties, methods of making the same, and articles, including medical devices, made from such compositions. The disclosed technology includes a process of making an antimicrobial polymer composition, where the process includes mixing an antimicrobial additive into a polymeric material; wherein said polymeric material comprises a polymeric backbone made up of urethane linkages derived from a polyisocyanate and a polyol; and wherein said mixing occurs under conditions that result in the breaking of a minority of said urethane bonds resulting in reactive isocyanate groups; and wherein two or more of said reactive isocyanate groups react with said antimicrobial additive to covalently bond said antimicrobial additive into the polymeric backbone of said polymeric material; resulting in an antimicrobial polymer composition.

Abstract: A biocidally active polymer composition formed from an oligomeric or polymeric additive and a thermoplastic polyurethane polymer is disclosed. The biocidally active polymer may further include a non-fouling and/or non-thrombogenic polymer. The biocidally active polymer provides biocidally active properties, and may also provide non-fouling and/or non-thrombogenic properties. The composition is particularly useful in articles and materials for medical applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a bioabsorbable blend of (i) a polymer component comprising polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), a copolymer of PLA and PGA, or any combination thereof and (ii) thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) tailored to a medical application, and a process for making the same. In some embodiments, the TPU comprises units derived from a diol chain extender, a diisocyanate, and a polyol formulated to provide a set biodegradation rate in combination with at least one physical property. The blend of the invention provides useful materials for medical applications that have the individual benefits of polylactic acid and TPU while moderating each material's typical limitations.

Abstract: A surface-modified polymer composition formed from an oligomeric or polymeric additive and a base polymer is disclosed. The surface-modified polymer provides non-fouling and/or non-thrombogenic properties. The composition is particularly useful in articles and materials for medical applications.

Abstract: The polymer compositions described herein include the reaction product obtained from a mixture that includes: (i) a hydroxyl terminated intermediate containing at least one furan functional group; and (ii) a polyisocyanate component. The polymer compositions may further include a polymaleimide compound which may be (a) added as a component of the polymer composition, (b) incorporated into the structure of the hydroxyl terminated intermediate containing at least one furan functional group, or (c) both. The resulting polymer composition is capable of thermally reversible crosslinking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions that have crystalline chain ends. The TPU compositions of the invention can provide improved resiliency, lower surface free energy, and/or reduced stickiness, while maintaining other desirable physical properties. The present invention also provides the described TPU compositions that are further grafted with vinyl alkoxysilane moieties allowing for crosslinked networks of the TPU compositions. The present invention also provides plasticizer-free, very soft TPU compositions without the processing difficulties often associated with such materials. The invention further provides means of reducing the surface tension of a TPU composition which can allow for improved blend compositions, and means of crosslinking the described TPU compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions that have crystalline chain ends. The TPU compositions used to make the articles of the invention can provide reduced stickiness and/or tackiness, while maintaining other desirable physical properties, leading to significantly improved handling and processability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compositions that have crystalline chain ends. The TPU compositions of the invention can provide improved resiliency, lower surface free energy, and/or reduced stickiness, while maintaining other desirable physical properties. The present invention also provides the described TPU compositions that are further grafted with vinyl alkoxysilane moieties allowing for crosslinked networks of the TPU compositions. The present invention also provides plasticizer-free, very soft TPU compositions without the processing difficulties often associated with such materials. The invention further provides means of reducing the surface tension of a TPU composition which can allow for improved blend compositions, and means of crosslinking the described TPU compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides a bioabsorbable blend of (i) a polymer component comprising polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), a copolymer of PLA and PGA, or any combination thereof and (ii) thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) tailored to a medical application, and a process for making the same. In some embodiments the TPU comprises units derived from a diol chain extender, a diisocyanate, and a polyol formulated to provide a set biodegradation rate in combination with at least one physical property. The blend of the invention provides useful materials for medical applications that have the individual benefits of polylactic acid and TPU while moderating each material's typical limitations.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a bioabsorbable thermoplastic polyurethane tailored to a medical application are provided. The method includes identifying suitable thermoplastic polyurethane properties based on the medical application. The thermoplastic polyurethane comprises units derived from a diol chain extender, a diisocyanate, and a polyol. The thermoplastic polyurethane properties include a biodegradation rate and at least one physical property. The method includes identifying a base thermoplastic polyurethane and altering at least one parameter of the base thermoplastic polyurethane which relates to the desired thermoplastic polyurethane properties to generate a candidate thermoplastic polyurethane. The altering may be performed iteratively until the suitable range of thermoplastic polyurethane properties based on the medical application is met.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a melt processable copolyetheramide made by reacting (a) one or more segments of polyamide hard blocks derived from a lactam-terminated diisocyanate and a lactam monomer, and (b) one or more segments of polyether soft blocks derived from a polyether diol. The invention further provides for methods of making said copolyetheramide, including a continuous extruder method of production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a melt processable copolyetheramide made by reacting (a) one or more segments of polyamide hard blocks derived from a lactam-terminated diisocyanate and a lactam monomer, and (b) one or more segments of polyether soft blocks derived from a polyether diol. The invention further provides for methods of making said copolyetheramide, including a continuous extruder method of production.

Abstract: Energetic binders, and, more specifically, a class of nitramine-containing polyether polymers characterized by favorable viscosity and glass transition temperature, as well as resistance to hydrolysis are prepared.

Abstract: An electrostatic method is disclosed for providing multicolor imaging from a single toner bath. The toner bath is a blend of individual toners, each of which contains a color precursor different from the others. Also disclosed is a method for the double encapsulation of toner particles to produce toner particles characterized by multiple encapsulation.