Abstract: A non-crosslinked biocompatible polymer is formed from a radical polymerisable ethylenically unsaturated zwitterionic monomer containing a sulpho-betaine zwitterionic group and a radical polymerisable ethylenically unsaturated comonomer containing a hydrophobic group selected from C6-24-alkyl, C1-24-fluoroalkyl and siloxane groups. Suitable copolymers are of N,N-dimethyl ammonium-N-propylsulphonate-N-ethyl methacrylate and dodecylmethacrylate. The polymer may be used to coat substrates to render them biocompatible, especially hemocompatible. The hydrophobic groups render the polymer particularly suitable for coating hydrophobic substrates.

Abstract: A biocompatibilizing process in which the surface of a material in need of being biocompatibilized is coated with a copolymer formed by radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising a zwitterionic monomer having a sulphobetaine group and a comonomer having a group selected for providing a stable coating of polymer on the said surface. The comonomer may have a hydrophobic group for binding to oppositely charged ionic groups at the surface or a reactive group for forming a covalent bond with functional groups at the surface and/or for forming cross-links in the polymer coating.

Abstract: Polymers of one or more radical polymerisable monomers which polymer has pendant groups bearing a centre of permanent positive charge and other pendant groups capable of stably binding the polymer to a surface are useful in the treatment of surfaces to render them biocompatible. The polymers may contain pendant groups which bind the polymer to a surface by physisorption, covalent bonding or ionic interactions. Additionally reactive groups in the polymer may serve as points for attachment of ligands to the polymer when coated on a surface.

Abstract: Polymers of one or more radical polymerisable monomers which polymer has pendant groups bearing a centre of permanent positive charge and other pendant groups capable of stably binding the polymer to a surface are useful in the treatment of surfaces to render them biocompatible. The polymers may contain pendant groups which bind the polymer to a surface by physisorption, covalent bonding or ionic interactions. Additionally reactive groups in the polymer may serve as points for attachment of ligands to the polymer when coated on a surface.

Abstract: Polymers of one or more radical polymerisable monomers which polymer has pendant groups bearing a center of permanent positive charge and other pendant groups capable of stably binding the polymer to a surface are useful in the treatment of surfaces to render them biocompatible. The polymers may contain pendant groups which bind the polymer to a surface by physisorption, covalent bonding or ionic interactions. Additionally reactive groups in the polymer may serve as points for attachment of ligands to the polymer when coated on a surface.

Abstract: Polymers of one or more radical polymerisable monomers which polymer has pendant groups bearing a center of permanent positive charge and other pendant groups capable of stably binding the polymer to a surface are useful in the treatment of surfaces to render them biocompatible. The polymers may contain pendant groups which bind the polymer to a surface by physisorption, covalent bonding or ionic interactions. Additionally reactive groups in the polymer may serve as points for attachment of ligands to the polymer when coated on a surface.

Abstract: Polymers of one or more radical polymerizable monomers which polymer has pendant groups bearing a center of permanent positive charge and other pendant groups capable of stably binding the polymer to a surface are useful in the treatment of surfaces to render them biocompatible. The polymers may contain pendant groups which bind the polymer to a surface by physisorption, covalent bonding or ionic interactions. Additionally reactive groups in the polymer may serve as points for attachment of ligands to the polymer when coated on a surface.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) in which Z is hydrogen or --NHZ is an activated amine group capable of reacting with a surface, the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group, preferably methyl, n is from 2 to 6, and X is a straight or branched C.sub.1-20 alkylene group, or X is a group of formula --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.b --, or --(CH.sub.2).sub.c --Ar--(CH.sub.2).sub.d -- where b is from 1 to 20, c and d are the same or different and each is from 0 to 5, and Ar is a para- or meta- disubstituted phenyl group (preferably a para-disubstituted phenyl group) which is optionally further substituted by one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups, or an acid addition salt thereof or a hydrate thereof, new compounds of formula (I) and salts and hydrates thereof and the use of compounds of formula (I) and salts and hydrates thereof in treating surfaces to render them more biocompatible.

Abstract: A process of treating suitable synthetic polymers comprising the steps of (a) where appropriate, activating the surface to be treated, and, if necessary, providing spacer groups thereon; and (b) treating the surface with a compound of Formula (I), ##STR1## wherein Y' is an alkylene group optionally containing an aryl group, a poly(ethylene glycol) or a glycerol group; R may be the same or different and each is a straight or branched C.sub.1-4 alkyl group, n is from 1 to 4 and X is a group which reacts with functional groups of the polymer. Polymeric surfaces and materials thus produced and shaped articles containing such surfaces and materials.

Abstract: A process for treating polymeric contact lenses comprising the steps of: (a) where necessary, activating the polymeric surface to be treated and (b) treating the surface with a compound of formula (I), wherein X is a group which reacts with the polymer surface; Y is straight or branched C.sub.1-6 alkylene; the groups R are the same or different and each is straight or branched C.sub.1-4 alkyl, and A.sup.- is a counterion.X--Y--CH.sub.2 N.sup..sym. R.sub.3 A.sup..crclbar.