Abstract: An improved polyurethane is prepared by reacting a diol, an organic diisocyanate and a carboxylic acid with a critical selection of the amount of water in the reaction mixture. The polyurethane has improved adhesion, hydrophilicty and strength. The polymer has improved feel, and washability. Solutions of the polymer have low viscosity in aqueous solutions.

Abstract: An improved amphiphilic diol is prepared with a controlled type and amount of alkylene glycol, catalyst, hydrophobic and hydrophilic diol with diisocyanate and water. Critical selection of the type, molecular weight and ratios of hydrophilic to hydrophobic diol, isocyanate to hydroxyl groups, average molecular weight of the diol component, the amount of water in the reaction mixture produces a polyuretheane having high slip, Shore A Hardness values, wet tensile strength and tear strength. This invention also includes uses of the polyurethane in catheters, shaving products, synthetic valves, veins and arteries, stents, ports, shunts and coatings. Preferably, the polyurethane is used in combination with a filler for application to rubber gloves. In addition, dispersions, lotions, gels and solutions can be formed of the polyurethane.

Abstract: An improved amphiphilic diol is prepared with a controlled type and amount of alkylene glycol, hydrophobic and hydrophilic diol with diisocyanate and water. Critical selection of the type, molecular weight and ratios of hydrophilic to hydrophobic diol, isocyanate to hydroxyl groups, average molecular weight of the diol component, the amount of water in the reaction mixture produces a polyuretheane having high slip, Shore A Hardness values, wet tensile strength and tear strength. This invention also includes uses of the polyurethane in catheters, shaving products, synthetic valves, veins and arteries, stents, ports, shunts and coatings. Preferably, the polyurethane is used in combination with a filler for application to rubber gloves. In addition, dispersions, lotions, gels and solutions can be formed of the polyurethane.

Abstract: An improved polyurethane is prepared by reacting a diol component and an organic diisocyanate with critical selection of the amount of water in the reaction mixture and the diol component. The diol component is a long chain polyoxyethylene glycol optionally mixed with a low molecular weight polyoxyethylene glycol. A tough gel can be formed by mixing the polyurethane in a diol or triol and water solution. The tough gel can be used in burn and wound dressings, electroconductive pads, high slip materials and surgical implants. An optically clear gel can also be formed. Solutions and emulsions can be formed of the polymer and can be combined with fillers to form face creams and antiperspirants. A film can cover one side of the gel for burn and wound applications. The gel can be used in squeeze tubes and in spray cans in burn wound care dressings and industrial applications and in bags and containers for use in plastic surgery implants.

Abstract: An improved polyurethane is prepared by reacting a diol component and an organic diisocyanate with critical selection of the amount of water in the reaction mixture and the diol component. The diol component is a long chain polyoxyethylene glycol optionally mixed with a low molecular weight polyoxyethylene glycol. A tough gel can be formed by mixing the polyurethane in a diol or triol and water solution. The tough gel can be used in burn and wound dressings, electroconductive pads, high slip materials and surgical implants. An optically clear gel can also be formed. Solutions and emulsions can be formed of the polymer and can be combined with fillers to form face creams and antiperspirants. A film can cover one side of the gel for burn and wound applications. The gel can be used in squeeze tubes and in spray cans in burn wound care dressings and industrial applications and in bags and containers for use in plastic surgery implants.

Abstract: An improved polyurethane is prepared by reacting a diol component and an organic diisocyanate with critical selection of the amount of water in the reaction mixture and the diol component. The diol component is a long chain polyoxyethylene glycol optionally mixed with a low molecular weight polyoxyethylene glycol. A tough gel can be formed by mixing the polyurethane in a diol or triol and water solution. The tough gel can be used in burn and wound dressings, electroconductive pads, high slip materials and surgical implants. An optically clear gel can also be formed. Solutions and emulsions can be formed of the polymer and can be combined with fillers to form face creams and antiperspirants. A film can cover one side of the gel for burn and wound applications. The gel can be used in squeeze tubes and in spray cans in burn wound care dressings and industrial applications and in bags and containers for use in plastic surgery implants.

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: Solvent-free water-based emulsions of hydrophilic polyurethane polymers, their preparation and solvent-free coatings produced from the emulsions are described. Also described are compositions produced by subjecting a homogeneous blend of a curable polymer precursor such as rubber latex and the polyurethane emulsion to curing conditions. Moisture permeable membranes, water swellable sealants, extruded shapes and active agent media are produced from the composition.

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: A hydrophilic, thermoplastic polyurethane polymer of improved dimensional stability and mechanical strength having an average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 200,000 produced by reacting (A) an organic diisocyanate with (B) a blend of glycol components comprising (i) ethylene glycol and/or diethylene glycol, (ii) a polyoxyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 20,000 and (iii) a polyoxypropylene glycol having an average molecular weight of from about 200 to about 2500, and (C) water in an amount up to about 0.5% by weight of the reaction mixture. The polymers are particularly useful in the form of a film product such as gloves and condoms. Other uses are as low friction coatings, body implants and active agent release media.

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: Hydrophilic polyurethane polymers having carboxy groups in the polymer backbone are prepared by reacting a polyol component, an ester of a carboxylic acid and a polyisocyanate to form a polyurethane intermediate. The intermediate is then saponified and the saponified product neutralized to form free carboxy groups. The water absorption of the intermediates and saponified polymers is above 10% and the polyurethanes may range from rigid solids to gel-like, high water absorptive polymers. Neutralization of the carboxy group with ammonium hydroxide produces a water soluble polyurethane which becomes water insoluble when the ammonia is driven off. The carboxy groups introduced into the polymeric chain provide reactive sites for attachment of various side-groups and also allow for various curing procedures.

Abstract: An article having a lower coefficient of friction in the wet state is produced by applying to a substrate an adherent isocyanate coating followed by a second coating of polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymerized with a minor amount of an ethylenic monomer having active hydrogens and curing the so-coated substrate to effect reaction between the active hydrogens and isocyanate groups. The article is useful in the manufacture of medical devices for insertion in the body.

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.