Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether amine with a bifunctional crosslinker of the formula: X1—R—X2. Another embodiment is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether having at least three arms and three electrophilic endgroups with a primary diamine crosslinker of the formula: NH2—R2—NH2, followed by treating of the chain-extended product so as to convert the remaining electrophilic endgroups to amine endgroups. Crosslinking of the chain-extended polyamine products with an oxidized polysaccharide provides useful tissue adhesives with modified elasticity, that provides greater compliance to underlying tissue, and improved stability in aqueous environments.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether amine with a bifunctional crosslinker of the formula: X1—R—X2. Another embodiment is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether having at least three arms and three electrophilic endgroups with a primary diamine crosslinker of the formula: NH2—R2—NH2, followed by treating of the chain-extended product so as to convert the remaining electrophilic endgroups to amine endgroups. Crosslinking of the chain-extended polyamine products with an oxidized polysaccharide provides useful tissue adhesives with modified elasticity, that provides greater compliance to underlying tissue, and improved stability in aqueous environments.

Abstract: Swellable and degradable microspheres are described. The microspheres are prepared by a process that is reliable and high yielding, and makes use of a low temperature azo initiator, a small molecule chlorinated solvent as the organic phase, and a heat treatment step, and is carried out in absence of a crosslinking agent. The microsphere preparation made using the process is particularly useful as a degradable embolic material.

Abstract: A process for producing microspheres was developed that provides microspheres that are swellable and degradable. The process is reliable and high yielding, and makes use of a low temperature azo initiator, a small molecule chlorinated solvent as the organic phase, and a heat treatment step, and is carried out in absence of a crosslinking agent. The microsphere preparation made using the process is particularly useful as a degradable embolic material.

Abstract: A process for coating water-swellable hydrogel microspheres with various coating materials is described. The coating process described herein is a fluidized bed process, which utilizes inert, cofluidization particles to aid the fluidization of the microspheres. The use of the cofluidization particles increases the efficiency of the coating process and improves the quality of the coating obtained.

Abstract: Dimensionally stable, shaped articles comprised of dried, aggregated, water-swellable hydrogel microspheres are described. The microspheres are aggregated together without the use of a binding agent. When exposed to an aqueous medium in a container, the dimensionally stable, shaped article swells slowly and disaggregates, forming at least partially swollen hydrogel microspheres, which take the shape of the container. The dimensionally stable, shaped articles disclosed herein have many potential applications, including medical applications such as a medical implant.

Abstract: Highly durable occlusions that are useful for embolic treatment were obtained using microspheres having new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres are provided in a microsphere powder which also has high density and high swell properties, that is prepared using a new process.

Abstract: A process for producing microspheres was developed that provides microspheres with new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. The process is reliable and high yielding, and makes use of a low temperature azo initiator and a small molecule chlorinated solvent as the organic phase. The microsphere preparation made using the process is particularly useful in medical treatments such as embolization.

Abstract: Alpha, omega-difunctional aldaramides, in particular diaminoaldaramides, dihydroxyaldaramides, bis(alkoxycarbonylalkyl)aldaramides, and bis(carboxyalkyl)aldaramides, and processes for preparing the aldaramides are provided.

Abstract: A method for extending the gelation time of an oxidized polysaccharide to react with a water-dispersible, multi-arm amine to form a hydrogel is disclosed. The extension of the gelation time is accomplished by using a chemical additive. The method also extends the time for the hydrogel to become tack-free, and may also be used to decrease the degradation time of the hydrogel. The chemical additive reacts with the functional groups of the oxidized polysaccharide or the water-dispersible, multi-arm amine, thereby reducing the number of groups available for crosslinking. The use of the resulting hydrogel for medical and veterinary applications is described.

Abstract: Branched end reactants having two or three functional groups at the ends are disclosed. The branched end reactants are used to prepare crosslinked hydrogel tissue adhesives, which have a good balance of mechanical properties in an aqueous environment. Kits comprising the branched end reactants and methods for applying a coating to an anatomical site on tissue of a living organism are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for embolization using liquid embolic materials is described. The method comprises the use of two liquid components. The first liquid component is an aqueous solution or dispersion comprising at least one oxidized polysaccharide. The second liquid component is either an aqueous solution or dispersion comprising at least one water-dispersible, multi-arm amine, or a water-dispersible multi-arm amine in the form of a neat liquid. The two components crosslink in situ to form a hydrogel that should act as an effective embolic agent.

Abstract: A process for producing microspheres was developed that provides microspheres that are swellable and degradable. The process is reliable and high yielding, and makes use of a low temperature azo initiator, a small molecule chlorinated solvent as the organic phase, and a heat treatment step, and is carried out in absence of a crosslinking agent. The microsphere preparation made using the process is particularly useful as a degradable embolic material.

Abstract: Alpha, omega-difunctional aldaramides, in particular diaminoaldaramides, dihydroxyaldaramides, bis(alkoxycarbonylalkyl)aldaramides, and bis(carboxyalkyl)aldaramides, and processes for preparing the aldaramides are provided.

Abstract: Processes using alpha, omega-difunctional aldaramides as monomers and crosslinkers are disclosed. The processes can be used to form polymers, particularly crosslinked polymers.

Abstract: Alpha, omega-difunctional aldaramides, in particular diaminoaldaramides, dihydroxyaldaramides, bis(alkoxycarbonylalkyl)aldaramides, and bis(carboxyalkyl)aldaramides, and processes for preparing the aldaramides are provided.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether amine with a bifunctional crosslinker of the formula: X1—R—X2. Another embodiment is a water soluble chain-extended polyamine product made by a process comprising reacting a multi-arm polyether having at least three arms and three electrophilic endgroups with a primary diamine crosslinker of the formula: NH2—R2—NH2, followed by treating of the chain-extended product so as to convert the remaining electrophilic endgroups to amine endgroups. Crosslinking of the chain-extended polyamine products with an oxidized polysaccharide provides useful tissue adhesives with modified elasticity, that provides greater compliance to underlying tissue, and improved stability in aqueous environments.

Abstract: A process for producing microspheres was developed that provides microspheres with new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. The process is reliable and high yielding, and makes use of a low temperature azo initiator and a small molecule chlorinated solvent as the organic phase. The microsphere preparation made using the process is particularly useful in medical treatments such as embolization.

Abstract: A method for medical treatment was developed in which microspheres with novel properties are administered in a mammal. The microspheres are made using a novel process that results in microspheres with new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres may be administered for void filling, tissue bulking, non-vasculature occlusion, body fluid absorption, and delivery of medications.

Abstract: Highly durable occlusions that are useful for embolic treatment were obtained using microspheres having new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres are provided in a microsphere powder which also has high density and high swell properties, that is prepared using a new process.