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: 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.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a compound of formula (IIIe), comprising a step of reacting a compound of formula (IIIc): A functional polymer of formula (XXXa): The variables in formulas (IIIc), (IIIe), and (XXXa) are defined herein.

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: Methods are described herein for converting carbocationically terminated polymers to anionically terminated polymers. These methods comprise: (a) providing a carbocationically terminated polymeric moiety; (b) reacting the carbocationically terminated polymeric moiety with a heterocyclic compound of the formula where —X— is selected from —S—, —O—, —NH— and —NR—, and where R is an alkyl group or an aryl group, thereby providing an end-capped polymeric moiety; and (c) reacting the end-capped polymeric moiety with an organolithium compound to yield an anionically terminated polymeric moiety. Also described are block copolymers in which a first polymer block comprising cationically polymerized monomers is linked to a second polymer block comprising anionically polymerized monomers by a group, as well as a polymer in which a polymer block comprising cationically polymerized monomers is linked to a halogenated silane residue or a carbosilane residue by a group.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to copolymers that include a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to cationically polymerizable monomer species and a second polymer block that comprises a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to an anionically polymerizable vinylpyridine, e.g., 2-vinylpyridine, and methods for making the same. Such copolymers can also include a linking moiety, e.g., a Formula (I) group, a Formula (II) group, or any combinations thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for polymerization of olefins are disclosed that include a mixture or a reaction product of a group 4 element halide, and a group 13 element halide.

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: Methods are described herein for converting carbocationically terminated polymers to anionically terminated polymers. These methods comprise: (a) providing a carbocationically terminated polymeric moiety; (b) reacting the carbocationically terminated polymeric moiety with a heterocyclic compound of the formula where —X— is selected from —S—, —O—, —NH— and —NR—, and where R is an alkyl group or an aryl group, thereby providing an end-capped polymeric moiety; and (c) reacting the end-capped polymeric moiety with an organolithium compound to yield an anionically terminated polymeric moiety. Also described are block copolymers in which a first polymer block comprising cationically polymerized monomers is linked to a second polymer block comprising anionically polymerized monomers by a group, as well as a polymer in which a polymer block comprising cationically polymerized monomers is linked to a halogenated silane residue or a carbosilane residue by a group.

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.

Abstract: Novel copolymers, including block copolymers, which comprise: (a) a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to one or more olefin monomer species and (b) a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to one or more protected or unprotected hydroxystyrene monomer species.

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: A method of synthesizing an endcapped polymer, comprising reacting in a solvent a cationic living polymer with an optionally substituted conjugated diene as an endcapping reagent, whereby the solvent causes termination by halogenation to be faster than the addition of additional molecules of the conjugated diene, thereby producing an endcapped polymer having a halogenated endcap group.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: Novel copolymers, including block copolymers, that comprise: (a) a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to one or more branched olefin monomer species and (b) a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to one or more vinyl ether monomer species, which vinyl ether monomer species are selected from (i) hydrolysable vinyl ether monomer species and (ii) elevated-Tg vinyl ether monomer species. Also described herein are methods of forming such copolymers. Also described are novel copolymers, including block copolymers, which comprise: (a) a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to one or more branched olefin monomer species and (b) a plurality of constitutional units that correspond to vinyl alcohol.