Abstract: Hydrophobically-modified bioadhesive polyelectrolytes containing a bioadhesive polyelectrolyte and a hydrophobic component are disclosed. Also disclosed are polyelectrolyte-agent compositions wherein the hydrophobically-modified bioadhesive polyelectrolyte is loaded with a pharmaceutically, cosmetically, or prophylactically acceptable agent. Suitable agents have hydrophobic and/or ionic character, and include drugs. The polyelectrolyte-agent compositions may be formulated for administration by topical, oral and/or systemic routes. Methods of administering such agents to an animal are also disclosed, and include administration of an effective amount of the polyelectrolyte-agent composition to the animal.

Abstract: An intraocular lens having improved biocompatibility is coated with polyethylene oxide through covalent bonding, preferably using a plasma-deposited amine layer. The lens is then sterilized with ethylene oxide and extracted with water.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for use in reducing the availability of undesired lipids, such as cholesterol, in the fluid media of the gastrointestinal tract prior to absorption of the lipids across the cells lining the tract. The composition is a nontoxic, substantially nondigestible polymer to which ligands are chemically bonded through biologically stable ether groups. The ligands scavenge the undesired lipids from the fluid media.

Abstract: Alginate beads are employed as a site specific oral delivery system for cationic therapeutic agents, such as TGF-.beta..sub.1, designed to target the agents to the luminal side of the small intestine. Improved delivery of bioactive material is obtained by: 1) incorporating selected polyanions in the alginate beads to shield the cationic therapeutic agent from interaction with alginate and/or 2) acid treating alginate beads containing the therapeutic agents to reduce the molecular weight of alginate and its interaction with the agents. Enhanced bioactivity of therapeutic agents released from the alginate is attributed to the ability of polyacrylic acid to shield the agents from interaction with lower molecular fragments of acid treated alginate.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing extremely tight binding of proteins to surfaces and to a protein surface wherein the protein is tightly bound to the surface.

Abstract: A method of biomolecule immobilization is described in which the biomolecule itself or, alternatively, a monomer-conjugated biomolecule, is grafted with free monomer onto a hydrophilic, solid-phase, polymeric substrate which has been pre-irradiated with ionizing radiation. The pre-irradiation step is carried out, preferably at -78.degree. C. in air, while the grafting step is carried out at 0.degree. C. in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere. The technique is applicable to immobilization of a wide variety of biomolecules, such as enzymes, catalysts, hormones, lectins, drugs, vitamins, antibodies, antigens, nucleic acids, DNA and RNA segments, pesticides, dyes and fertilizers. The products may be used for therapeutic or diagnostic applications or bioseparations.

Abstract: A method of treating articles to improve their biocompatibility is disclosed. A polymeric substrate material is positioned within a reactor vessel and exposed to plasma gas discharge in the presence of an atmosphere of an inert gas and then in the presence of an organic gas, such as a fluorinated hydrocarbon gas, which forms a thin, biocompatible surface covalently bonded to the surface of the substrate. The method is particularly useful in the treatment of vascular graft materials to produce grafts that are both thrombi- and emboli-resistant.

Abstract: Methods for delivering substances into, removing substances from, or reacting substances with a selected environment utilizing polymer gels or coatings characterized by a critical solution temperature (CST) are disclosed. The CST as well as the pore structure, pore size, pore distribution, and absorbing capacity of the gel may be selectively controlled. The substances may be physically or chemically immobilized within the polymer gels. In addition, a method for altering the surface wettability of CST polymers is also disclosed.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and compositions are disclosed for the detection of analytes in fluid samples. The disclosure provides conjugates of analytes or reactants with polymerizable organic monomers. Specific binding reactions between reactants are detected by means of resporter/reactant conjugates. Free and specifically-bound reporter/reactant conjugates are separated by a polymerization reaction which renders the polymerized monomers insolule.

Abstract: A method of biomolecule immobilization is described in which the biomolecule itself or, alternatively, a monomer-conjugated biomolecule, is grafted with free monomer onto a hydrophilic, solid-phase, polymeric substrate which has been pre-irradiated with ionizing radiation. The pre-irradiation step is carried out, preferably at -78.degree. C. in air, while the grafting step is carried out at 0.degree. C. in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere. The technique is applicable to immobilization of a wide variety of biomolecules, such as enzymes, catalysts, hormones, lectins, drugs, vitamins, antibodies, antigens, nucleic acids, DNA and RNA segments, pesticides, dyes and fertilizers. The products may be used for therapeutic or diagnostic applications or bioseparations.

Abstract: An immunoassay in which a thermally induced phase separation is used to effect the separation of specifically bound reactants from free reactants is disclosed. A first reactant is conjugated to a temperature-sensitive polymer to form a polymer/reactant conjugate, and a second reactant is conjugated to a reporter to form a reporter/reactant conjugate. The polymer/reactant, reporter/reactant, and biological fluid samples suspected of containing the analyte are admixed in solution at a temperature other than that at which the polymer will precipitate. Specific binding is allowed to occur, thereby forming a ternary complex. The salt concentration of the adjusted solution is then adjusted to a concentration sufficient to cause the complex to precipitate from the solution, the amount of reporter activity in the precipitated complex or in the solution measured and the presence and/or concentration of the analyte therefrom determined.

Abstract: Conjugate monomers, polymers, and methods for the de novo synthesis of the polymers are provided. Conjugate organic monomers contain binding-pair members which upon polymerization become integrally associated with the resultant polymer. Specifically, antigens, antibodies, receptors, and ligands may be bound to organic monomers either directly by chemical reaction or indirectly by chemical spacer arms, and these conjugates may be polymerized or copolymerized with nonderivatized monomers to form polymers containing variable amounts of the binding-pair members. Such conjugate monomers and polymers find a wide variety of uses in binding to their binding-pair-member cognate which include selective removal of complementary binding-pair members from solution as well as in immunoassay procedures and in immunization regimes.

Abstract: Methods and compounds are disclosed for determining the presence, amount of, or association between substances of interest in samples suspected of containing same. The methods are based on the polymerization-induced separation of specifically-bound, reporter-labeled recognition reactants from free, reporter-labeled recognition reactants. The methods described are applicable to any substance for which suitable recognition reactants exist or can be made and are not limited by considerations such as chemical composition or molecular size.

Abstract: Immunoassay methods and compositions are disclosed for the detection of one or more analytes in fluid samples. The disclosure provides conjugates of analytes or reactants with polymerizable organic monomers. Specific binding reactions between reactants are detected by means of reporter/reactant conjugates. Free and specifically-bound reporter/reactant conjugates are separated by a polymerization reaction which renders the polymerized monomers insoluble.

Abstract: A method of treating articles to improve their biocompatibility is disclosed. A substrate material is positioned within a reactor vessel and exposed to plasma gas discharge in the presence of an atmosphere of an inert gas and then in the presence of an organic gas, such as a halocarbon or halohydrocarbon gas, capable of forming a thin, biocompatible surface covalently bonded to the surface of the substrate. The method is particularly useful in the treatment of vascular graft materials to improve their biocompatibility.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the de novo synthesis of antibody-containing polymers and the preparation of a class of polymerizable compounds used in the synthesis of such antibody-containing polymers. Antibody-containing polymers formed from monomer/antibody conjugates and nonderivatized polymerizable compounds can be varied in formation of the polymer to provide control of (a) molecular spacing, steric accessibility and the number of antibody molecules that are integrally incorporated into the polymer backbone, and (b) the chemical and physical structure of the polymer itself, thus enabling specific tailoring of antibody-containing polymers for particular end-use application. Also disclosed is a method for the selective removal of a compound from a solution or suspension thereof using monomer/receptor conjugates where the compound has the capacity to bind to the receptor in the conjugate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the de novo synthesis of polypeptide-containing polymers. This disclosure also includes a description of, and a method for the preparation of, a class of polymerizable compounds used in the synthesis of polypeptide-containing polymers. These polymerizable compounds are chemical conjugates prepared by covalent linkage of polymerizable organic monomers with specific polypeptides. Soluble monomer/polypeptide conjugates can be polymerized in solution with additional nonderivatized organic monomers to form desired polypeptide-containing polymers. The amount and composition of monomer and monomer/polypeptide conjugates can be varied in order to provide control of (a) molecular spacing, steric accessibility, and number of polypeptide molecules that are integrally incorporated into the polymer backbone, and (b) the chemical and physical structure of the polymer itself. This enables the specific tailoring of polypeptide-containing polymers for particular end-use applications.

Abstract: A method of female sterilization which comprises instilling methyl cyanoacrylate and radiopaque additive in the oviduct, allowing the methyl cyanoacrylate (MCA) to polymerize and induce an inflammatory response on the inside lining of the oviduct such that dense fibrous scar tissue is deposited across the oviduct lumen and the oviduct is occluded by natural scar tissue. The radiopaque additive permits the instillation to be examined by X-ray to insure proper positioning of the formulation and resultant blockage of the oviduct. The polymerized methyl cyanoacrylate degrades and is readily cleared along with other components of the formulation from the oviduct. In one embodiment the MCA and radiopaque additive are instilled together in liquid water-free form although they may also be instilled separately. The latter embodiment permits the use of aqueous systems for the radiopaque material. Acid and free radical polymerization inhibitors should also be used to prevent premature polymerization.

Abstract: An improved process for radiation grafting of hydrogels onto organic polymeric substrates is provided comprising the steps of incorporating an effective amount of cupric or ferric ions in an aqueous graft solution consisting of N-vinyl-2 - pyrrolidone or mixture of N-vinyl-2 - pyrrolidone and other monomers, e.g., 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, propylene glycol acrylate, acrylamide, methacrylic acid and methacrylamide, immersing an organic polymeric substrate in the aqueous graft solution and thereafter subjecting the contacted substrate with ionizing radiation.