Abstract: The present invention relates to silicon-containing biostable gels and processes for their preparation. The gels possess properties which make them useful in the manufacture and repair of biomaterials and medical devices, articles or implants, in particular the manufacture of soft tissue implants such as breast implants and the repair of orthopaedic joints such as spinal discs.

Abstract: A silicon-based polycarbonate of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R8 and R9 are the same or different and selected from hydrogen or an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; R7 is a divalent linking group or an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated by hydrocarbon radical; A is an endcapping group; n, y and z are integers of 0 or more; and x is an integer of 0 or more.

Abstract: A shape memory polyurethane or polyurethane-urea polymer including a reaction product of: (A) (a) silicon-based macrodiol, silicon-based macrodiamine and/or polyether of the formula (I): A—[(CH2)m—O]n—(CH2)m—A?, wherein A and A are endcapping groups; m is an integer of 6 or more; and n is an integer of 1 or greater; (b) a diisocyanate; and (c) a chain extender; or (B) (b) a diisocyanate: and (c) a chain extender, said polymer having a glass transition temperature which enables the polymer to be formed into a first shape at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and maintained in said first shape when the polymer is cooled to a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature, said polymer then being capable of resuming its original shape on heating to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material having improved mechanical properties, clarity, processability and/or degradation resistance comprising a polyurethane elastomeric composition which includes a soft segment derived from at least one polysiloxane macrodiol and at least one polyether and/or polycarbonate macrodiol. This material can function as a degradation-resistant material or biomaterial and is particularly useful in the manufacture of medical devices, articles or implants which contact living tissue or bodily fluids. The present invention also provides a polyurethane elastomeric composition which includes a soft segment derived from at least one polysiloxane and at least one polyether and/or polycarbonate macrodiol and processes for its preparation.

Abstract: A silicon-based polycarbonate of formula (I): 1

Abstract: A non-elastomeric polyurethane composition which includes a first chain extender of the general formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are the same or different and selected from an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; R7 is a divalent linking group or an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; and n is 0 or greater, and a second chain extender.

Abstract: A polyurethane composition comprising a chain extender including a silicon-containing diol of the formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are the same or different and selected from an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; R7 is a divalent linking group or an optionally substituted straight chain, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical; and n is 0 or greater, preferably 2 or less.