Abstract: A biocompatible multipolymer, having a backbone comprising about 10 to 45 wt % of at least one hard segment and about 55 to 90 wt % of soft segments. The soft segments are divided into three groups, 5 to 25 wt %, of total soft segment weight, of an oxygen permeable soft segment; 5 to 25 wt %, of total soft segment weight, of a hydrophilic soft segment; and 50 to 90 wt %, of total soft segment weight, of a biostable, relatively hydrophobic soft segment.

Abstract: A biocompatible, hydrophilic, segmented block polyurethane copolymer which comprises 5 to 45 wt % of a hard segment and 95 to 55 wt % of a soft segment selected from a hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphipathic oligomer is disclosed. The copolymer is capable of forming a non-porous, semi-permeable film of a tensile strength greater than 300 and up to 10,000 psi, and has an ultimate elongation greater than 300% and up to 1,500% and a water absorption such that the sum of the volume fraction of absorbed water and the hydrophilic volume fraction of the soft segment exceeds about 100% and is up to about 2,000% of the dry polymer volume. The film is permeable to cell nutrients and waste molecules of up to about 6,000 to 600,000 molecular weight and is substantially impermeable to cells and particulate matter. A non-porous, semi-permeable, biocompatible film is formed from the block copolymer of the invention in the form of a flexible sheet or a hollow fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polymeric compositions of matter and their use. Said polymeric compositions of matter are surface active endgroup-containing polymers that comprise a linear base polymer having covalently bonded surface active endgroups of a nature and present in an amount such that said polymers have a surface or interfacial tension that differs by at least 1 dyne/cm from the surface or interfacial tension of an otherwise identical polymer that does not contain said covalently bonded surface active endgroups. The novel linear polymers according to the present invention are particularly suitable for use in the manufacture of medical devices, and especially of medical devices intended to be used in contact with bodily fluids such as blood. Examples of such medical devices include catheters and artificial hearts.

Abstract: A biocompatible, hydrophilic, segmented block polyurethane copolymer which comprises 5 to 45 wt % of a hard segment and 95 to 55 wt % of a soft segment selected from a hydrophilic, hydrophobic and amphipathic oligomer is disclosed. The copolymer is capable of forming a non-porous, semi-permeable film of a tensile strength greater than 300 and up to 10,000 psi, and has an ultimate elongation greater than 300% and up to 1,500% and a water absorption such that the sum of the volume fraction of absorbed water and the hydrophilic volume fraction of the soft segment exceeds about 100% and is up to about 2,000% of the dry polymer volume. The film is permeable to cell nutrients and waste molecules of up to about 6,000 to 600,000 molecular weight and is substantially impermeable to cells and particulate matter. A non-porous, semi-permeable, biocompatible film is formed from the block copolymer of the invention in the form of a flexible sheet or a hollow fiber.