Abstract: A polyolefin is functionalized with two, three, or more terminal coumarin groups. When irradiated with longer wavelength ultraviolet light (e.g., 365 nanometers), the coumarin groups cyclodimerize to form a chain-extended or crosslinked polyolefin. The cyclodimerization can be reversed by irradiation with shorter wavelength ultraviolet light (e.g., 254 nanometers). When the crosslinked polyolefin is used to form a barrier layer in a light emitting diode or a photovoltaic device, scratches in the barrier layer cleave the cyclodimer groups and can be “healed” by irradiation to reduce or remove the scratches.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea, or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the soft segment includes a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine. Additionally disclosed is a method of forming a polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine with a diisocyanate to form a first reaction mixture; (b) combining a metal catalyst and a chain extender with the first reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture, a molar ratio of the metal catalyst to the diisocyanate being greater than 0.0:1 and less than or equal to 0.4:1; and (c) reacting the second reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to form the polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to copolymers having one or more polyisobutylene segments and one or more biodegradable polymer segments, to methods of making such copolymers, to medical articles that contain such copolymers, and to methods of making such medical articles. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise a plurality of polyisobutylene segments and a plurality of biodegradable polymer segments. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise urethane linkages, urea linkages, amide linkages, ester linkages, anhydride linkages, carbonate linkages, linkages commonly described as “click” chemistry linkages, and combinations of two or more types of such linkages.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes the following: (a) one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer species and (b) one or more heteroatom-containing monomer species.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to copolymers having one or more polyisobutylene segments and one or more biodegradable polymer segments, to methods of making such copolymers, to medical articles that contain such copolymers, and to methods of making such medical articles. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise a plurality of polyisobutylene segments and a plurality of biodegradable polymer segments. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise urethane linkages, urea linkages, amide linkages, ester linkages, anhydride linkages, carbonate linkages, linkages commonly described as “click” chemistry linkages, and combinations of two or more types of such linkages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices which contain isobutylene copolymers. The present invention also relates to biocompatible copolymer materials for therapeutic agent delivery comprising a therapeutic-agent-loaded isobutylene copolymer. According to an aspect of the present invention, a medical device is provided, which includes: (a) a substrate and (b) at least one polymeric layer, which contains a copolymer, disposed over all or a portion of the substrate. The copolymer contains one or more polymer chains, within which isobutylene and elevated Tg monomers (and, optionally, other monomers) are incorporated in a random, periodic, statistical or gradient distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phase separated polymeric regions and to their use in conjunction with implantable or insertable medical devices. In some aspects of the invention, phase separated polymeric regions are provided that include (a) at least one biostable polymeric phase and (b) at least one biodisintegrable polymeric phase, which is of nanoscale dimensions and which undergoes biodisintegration such that the phase separated polymeric region becomes a nanoporous polymeric region in vivo. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of making implantable or insertable medical devices having at least one nanoporous polymeric region. These methods include (a) providing a phase separated polymeric region comprising a stable polymeric phase and a disintegrable polymeric phase of nanoscale dimensions, (b) selectively removing the disintegrable polymeric phase thereby producing the nanoporous polymeric region.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: Therapeutic polymers are described, which contain at least one polymeric portion and at least one therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent and the polymeric portion are covalently linked via one or more linkages which hydrolyze in an aqueous environment, for example, one or more linkages selected from an Si—N linkage, an Si—O linkage, and a combination of the same. Other aspects the invention are directed to methods of making the above therapeutic polymers.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes the following: (a) one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer species and (b) one or more heteroatom-containing monomer species.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a functionalized polymer represented by the structural formula (I) comprising a step of reacting a polymer represented by structural formula (II) with a compound Nu1-M to nucleophilically substitute moiety X1 with moiety Nu1. Values and preferred values of the variables in formulas (I) and (II) are defined herein.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided, which contain one or more polymeric regions. These polymeric regions, in turn, contain one or more polymers, at least one of which is a copolymer that includes the following: (a) one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer species and (b) one or more heteroatom-containing monomer species.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which a double diphenylethylene compound is reacted with a polymer that contains a carbocationically terminated chain thereby providing a 1,1-diphenylene end-functionalized chain. Subsequently, an alkylating agent is reacted with the 1,1-diphenylene end-functionalized chain, thereby providing an alkylated 1,1-diphenylene end-functionalized chain. In some embodiments, the method further comprises (a) optionally combining a 1,1-diphenylorganolithium compound with the alkylated 1,1-diphenylene end-functionalized polymer followed by (b) reacting an organolithium compound with the alkylated 1,1-diphenylene end-functionalized polymer. This provides an anionically terminated polymer, which can be used, for example, in subsequent anionic polymerization and coupling reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides copolymers which include a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to at least one cationically polymerizable isomonoolefin species and a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to at least one anionically polymerizable monomer species selected from the group consisting of monomers of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, n, p, M, X, and L are defined herein. The present invention also provides methods for making and using (e.g., in articles of manufacture such as medical devices) the copolymers of the present invention.

Abstract: Novel methods for forming copolymers, including block copolymers, which comprise one or more olefin units and one or more protected or unprotected hydroxystyrene units are provided.