Abstract: Polyurethane polyene compositions are 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 diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Polyurethane quaternary ammonium salts are obtained by heating a solution of a polyurethane resin characterized by having present in the polymer backbone hydroxyl groups and at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of carboxylate radicals and carboxyl radicals dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent for the resin at a temperature above 64.degree. C. and below the decomposition temperature of said polyurethane resin with an organic chloride for a period of time; adding a strong base to the reaction mixture and continuing to heat said mixture to form a polyurethane quaternary ammonium hydroxide in solution; and precipitating the polyurethane quaternary ammonium hydroxide by pouring the reaction mixture into an excess of water.

Abstract: Gas and ion permeable membranes useful as burn dressings, surgical drapes and the like formed of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are also permeable to other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Canulae formed of or having a coating of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The compositions are useful as carriers for pharmacologically active agents in forming an oral delivery system.

Abstract: Surgical implants, intrauterine devices and the like formed of polyurethane diacrylate compositions obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 65 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. The compositions will form a hydrogel upon immersion in water and are permeable to gases, ions and other low molecular weight species. The hydrophilic polyurethane diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The shaped products contain distributed therein a desired medicament.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 30 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. 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 diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory. The compositions are useful for making contact lenses and numerous forms of surgical devices, among other things.

Abstract: Polyurethane diacrylate compositions are obtained by reacting a diacrylate in the presence of from about 30 to about 95 weight percent of a hydrophilic polyurethane resin. 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 diacrylate compositions may be molded to form shaped products that are dimensionally stable after repeated exposure to boiling water and exhibit memory.

Abstract: Water insoluble polyurethane polyether polymers that are soluble in ethanol at pH 11 characterized by a molecular weight above 6,000 and having carboxylate groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone are prepared by reacting a mixture of polyols, a polyfunctional lactone and a polyfunctional isocyanate proportioned so as to provide the desired polymer properties. The polymer so prepared contains lactone groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone. The lactone ring is opened by treating the polymer with an alkaline aqueous solution of a water miscible organic solvent to produce a water insoluble polyurethane polyether resin containing carboxylate groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone. The carboxylate groups may be in the form of a carboxylic acid group or its alkali metal or quaternary ammonium salt. The product is soluble in mixtures of water with a water miscible organic solvent and may be used in the preparation of surgical drapes and burn dressings.

Abstract: Polyurethane polymers characterized by a molecular weight above 6,000 and having lactone groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone are prepared by reacting a mixture of polyols, a polyfunctional lactone and a polyfunctional isocyanate proportioned so as to provide the desired polymer properties. The product is soluble in alkaline solutions and may be used for light sensitive photographic layers on films, paper or glass; in drug delivery systems, as burn dressings, in body implants such as vascular prosthesis, in molding compositions, and in the manufacture of catheters. The novel polymers also find use in the manufacture of artificial finger nails, finger cots, adhesives, and in protective and hdyrostatic drag resistant coatings. The water absorptivity of the polyurethane lactone polymers is above 10%, preferably in the range of about 20% to 60%, and these polymers may range in their physical properties from rigid solids to completely gel-like high water absorptive polymers.

Abstract: Polyurethane polymers characterized by a molecular weight above 6,000 and having lactone groups and hydroxyl groups in the polymer backbone are prepared by reacting a mixture of polyglycols proportioned so as to provide the desired polymer properties, a polyfunctional lactone and a polyfunctional isocyanate. The product is soluble in alkaline solutions and may be used for light sensitive photographic layers on films, paper or glass; in drug delivery systems, as burn dressings, in body implants such as vascular prosthesis, and in the manufacture of catheters. The novel polymers also find use in the manufacture of artificial finger nails, finger cots, adhesives, and in protective and hydrostatic drag resistant coatings. The water absorptivity of the polyurethane lactone polymers is above 10%, preferably above 20%, and these polymers may range to completely gel-like high water absorptive polymers.