Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: A porous, water-absorbing fleece is made from crosslinkable biocompatible and biodegradable macromers. A solution of the macromers is frozen and vacuum-dried through lyophilization. The “fleece” formed by lyophilization is then crosslinked, for example by heat and/or an initiator of crosslinking. The resulting crosslinked material is highly water absorbent, readily swelling to at least its size before lyophilization, but retains macroporosity as well as the microporosity of a gel. Porosity and strength of the fleece can be controlled by initial polymer concentration and extent of crosslinking. The fleece materials can be used in different embodiments for applications in medicine and tissue engineering.

Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: Hyaluronic acid and polyalkylene glycol (PAG) based materials have been found to exhibit a synergistic interaction, in which the viscosity of the mixture is more than twice as high as the viscosity expected from the viscosity of the individual components. The mixture otherwise has similar properties to those of its constituents, and in particular will crosslink to form covalently crosslinked gels if the PEG carries crosslinkable groups. The viscous formulation adheres well to tissue, and has applications as a tissue sealant and in tissue coating, prevention of adhesions, cell immobilization, regeneration of cartilage, bone and other tissue, as well as in controlled delivery of hyaluronic acid to sites in the body. Related materials exhibit similar effects.

Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: An impoved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitiator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as “priming”. The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, “priming” can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other.

Abstract: Locally deposited polymer depots are used as a vehicle for the immobilization and local delivery of a radionuclide or radiopharmaceutical. Radionuclides are incorporated in their elemental forms, as inorganic compounds, or are attached to a larger molecule or incorporated into the polymer, by physical or chemical methods. Ancillary structure may be employed to control the rate of release. Standard radionuclides which have been used for local radiotherapy may be used, such as radionuclides of iodine, iridium, radium, cesium, yttrium or other elements.

Abstract: A method for alleviating the symptoms of a cosmetic or dermatologic skin condition is described. An effective amount of a poly(hydroxy acid)/polymer conjugate in a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable vehicle is provided. Topical compositions of the conjugates with another cosmetic or dermatological agent, and compounds of the conjugates having attached physiologically active functional groups, are also provided.

Abstract: Locally deposited polymer depots are used as a vehicle for the immobilization and local delivery of a radionuclide or radiopharmaceutical. Radionuclides are incorporated in their elemental forms, as inorganic compounds, or are attached to a larger molecule or incorporated into the polymer, by physical or chemical methods. Ancillary structure may be employed to control the rate of release. Standard radionuclides which have been used for local radiotherapy may be used, such as radionuclides of iodine, iridium, radium, cesium, yttrium or other elements.

Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: Water-soluble macromers including at least one hydrolysable linkage formed from carbonate or dioxanone groups, at least one water-soluble polymeric block, and at least one polymerizable group, and methods of preparation and use thereof are described. The macromers are preferably polymerized using free radical initiators under the influence of long wavelength ultraviolet light or visible light excitation. Biodegradation occurs at the linkages within the extension oligomers and results in fragments which are non-toxic and easily removed from the body. The macromers can be used to encapsulate cells, deliver prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agents in a controlled manner, plug leaks in tissue, prevent adhesion formation after surgical procedures, temporarily protect or separate tissue surfaces, and adhere or seal tissues together.

Abstract: An impoved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitiator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as "priming". the polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, "priming" can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other.

Abstract: Water-soluble macromers including at least one hydrolysable linkage formed from carbonate or dioxanone groups, at least one water-soluble polymeric block, and at least one polymerizable group, and methods of preparation and use thereof are described. The macromers are preferably polymerized using free radical initiators under the influence of long wavelength ultraviolet light or visible light excitation. Biodegradation occurs at the linkages within the extension oligomers and results in fragments which are non-toxic and easily removed from the body. The macromers can be used to encapsulate cells, deliver prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agents in a controlled manner, plug leaks in tissue, prevent adhesion formation after surgical procedures, temporarily protect or separate tissue surfaces, and adhere or seal tissues together.

Abstract: Locally deposited polymer depots are used as a vehicle for the immobilization and local delivery of a radionuclide or radiopharmaceutical. Radionuclides are incorporated in their elemental forms, as inorganic compounds, or are attached to a larger molecule or incorporated into the polymer, by physical or chemical methods. Ancillary structure may be employed to control the rate of release. Standard radionuclides which have been used for local radiotherapy may be used, such as radionuclides of iodine, iridium, radium, cesium, yttrium or other elements.

Abstract: A method for alleviating the symptoms of a cosmetic or dermatologic skin condition is described. An effective amount of a poly(hydroxy acid)/polymer conjugate in a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable vehicle is provided. Topical compositions of the conjugates with another cosmetic or dermatological agent, and compounds of the conjugates having attached physiologically active functional groups, are also provided.

Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. The barrier can be prepared by staining tissue with a photoinitiator, applying a solution containing a polymerizable barrier material solution and a photoinitiator to the tissue, and polymerizing the polymer solution on exposure to light. The resulting polymer adheres strongly to the tissue surface, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. The method can be used to adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other. Tissue surfaces can be adhered to each other to repair wounds. In addition to photochemical initiators, non-photochemical initiators and combinations of chemical initiators and photochemical initiators can be used.

Abstract: A method for alleviating the symptoms of a cosmetic or dermatologic skin condition is described. An effective amount of a poly(hydroxy acid)/polymer conjugate in a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable vehicle is provided. Topical compositions of the conjugates with another cosmetic or dermatological agent, and compounds of the conjugates having attached physiologically active functional groups, are also provided.