Abstract: A thermogelling, aliphatically modified polymer for use in drug delivery is described. Illustrative embodiments include poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone) hexanoate and poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone) laurate. Another illustrative embodiment includes a composition having a thermogelling amount of an aliphatically modified poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone) and an effective amount of a drug. The thermogelling polymers are made by bonding an aliphatic group to poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone). A method of use includes injecting a warm-blooded individual with a thermogelling amount of the aliphatically modified polymer and a drug.

Abstract: A thermogelling, aliphatically modified polymer for use in drug delivery is described. Illustrative embodiments include poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone) hexanoate and poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone) laurate. Another illustrative embodiment includes a composition having a thermogelling amount of an aliphatically modified poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone) and an effective amount of a drug. The thermogelling polymers are made by bonding an aliphatic group to poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-?-caprolactone). A method of use includes injecting a warm-blooded individual with a thermogelling amount of the aliphatically modified polymer and a drug.

Abstract: A water soluble, biodegradable AB type diblock copolymer which comprises 61 to 85% by weight of a biodegradable, hydrophobic A block comprising a biodegradable polyester, and 15 to 39% by weight of a biocompatible, hydrophilic B block comprising a monofunctional polyethylene glycol(PEG) having a number average molecular weight less than 5000, and wherein said diblock copolymer has a number average molecular weight less than 15000 and possesses reverse thermal gelation properties.

Abstract: Compositions for delivering a pharmaceutically active agent to the eye, and/or for treating an ophthalmic disorder, are based on a fumarate polymer, especially a poly(propylene fumarate) polymer.

Abstract: A new oligomer based on alternating fumaric acid and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units is provided. The oligo(PEG fumarate) (OPF) may be functionalized by modification with a biocompatible organic group. Further, the OPF may be cross-linked using radical polymerization in the presence of either a chemical or photo initiator. A cross-linked OPF gel has a swelling behavior that is tunable dependent on the molecular weight of PEG. A cross-linkable PEG macromer, as exemplified by oligo(PEG fumarate), has unsaturated double bonds, for example in the fumaryl groups, along its macromolecular chain that allows for the preparation of hydrogels with tailored structure and properties.

Abstract: A new oligomer based on alternating fumaric acid and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units is provided. The oligo(PEG fumarate) (OPF) may be functionalized by modification with a biocompatible organic group. Further, the OPF may be cross-linked using radical polymerization in the presence of either a chemical or photo initiator. A cross-linked OPF gel has a swelling behavior that is tunable dependent on the molecular weight of PEG. A cross-linkable PEG macromer, as exemplified by oligo(PEG fumarate), has unsaturated double bonds, for example in the fumaryl groups, along its macromolecular chain that allows for the preparation of hydrogels with tailored structure and properties.

Abstract: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a highly biocompatible hydrophilic polyether, is tethered to poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF), a biodegradable polyester. To avoid change in molecular weight distribution of PPF, end hydroxyl groups of PPF are reacted with bis-carboxymethyl PEG after being treated with thionyl chloride. New end carboxyl groups of the PEG-tethered PPF are further reacted with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) to couple bioactive molecules. Glutamine and glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (GRGD) are attached to the PEG-tethered PPF in 50 mM phosphate buffer of pH of 7.4. The method is valuable for the preparation of a triblock copolymer with PEG end blocks and the coupling of biologically active molecules.

Abstract: Methods for grafting unmodified PEO or any other water-soluble polymers to the surfaces of metals and glasses to form biocompatible surfaces having low protein affinity is provided. One technique includes the steps of: (a) providing a support member having a plurality of hydroxyl or oxide groups attached to a surface of said support member; (b) exposing said surface to a silane coupling agent to cause the silane coupling agent to form a silane layer that is covalently bound to the surface wherein the silane layer comprises a plurality of vinyl groups; and (c) exposing the silane layer to a hydrophilic polymer and causing the silane layer to react with the hydrophilic polymer to covalently bond to the silane layer. Exposure of the silane layer to .gamma.-radiation to induce grafting with low radiation to induce grafting of the hydrophilic polymer to the silane layer.