Abstract: Hydrogels intended for orthopedic applications, including repair and regeneration of cartilage, bone, joint surfaces and related tissues, must possess greater strength and toughness than hydrogels used in soft tissue repair. A hydrogel formulation is provided which has high strength, toughness, a suitable mechanical modulus and low equilibrium hydration. It may also have controlled porosity or degradation time. It can be made to polymerize in situ with high (“good” to “excellent”) adherence to target tissue or surfaces. A preferred formulation for forming such gels comprises 40 to 80% by weight of a low-molecular weight polar monomer and 30 to 10% of a hydrophilic macromeric crosslinker.

Abstract: Described herein are adhesive polymeric compositions and methods for using the compositions. The composition are adherent to the applied surface. The compositions, in certain embodiments, are biodegradable and biocompatible, and can be designed with selected properties of compliancy and elasticity for different surgical and therapeutic applications. The adherent polymeric compositions comprise a polymerized macromer network and an additive mixed or entangled in the polymerized macromer. The additive is bonded to a surface by at least one covalent bond or by secondary interactions and is not covalently bonded to the polymerized macromer network. Alternatively, the additive is bonded to the surface by at least one covalent bond and is also bonded to the macromer network. The disclosed compositions can be used as an improved barrier, coating or drug delivery system that due to the additive is highly adherent to an applied surface.