Abstract: The present invention generally relates to thermally responsive polymer gel compositions that have enhanced temperature-dependent shrinking rates, increased strength, and improved pliability over previously known polymer compositions. In particular, the compositions are thermally responsive polymer gel compositions comprising a hydrophobic polymer matrix and an interpenetrating hydrophilic polymer network disposed therein, such that the resulting polymer gel composition has enhanced thermal responsiveness relative to the hydrophobic polymer matrix alone. This combination results in polymer gels having these improved properties. In a particular aspect, the hydrophobic polymer matrix is poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) (“PNIPAAM”) and the interpenetrating polymer network is supplied by incorporation of an amount of protein, typically gelatin, within the PNIPAAM. The compositions of the invention find particular use in surgical applications for the repair of damaged tissues, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention general relates to thermally responsive polymer gel compositions that have enhanced temperature-dependent shrinking rates, increased strength, and improved pliability over previously known polymer compositions. In particular, the compositions are thermally responsive polymer gel compositions comprising a hydrophobic polymer matrix and an interpenetrating hydrophilic polymer network disposed therein, such that the resulting polymer gel composition has enhanced thermal responsiveness relative to the hydrophobic polymer matrix alone. This combination results in polymer gels having these improved properties. In a particular aspect, the hydrophobic polymer matrix is poly(n-isopropylacrylamide) ("PNIPAAM") and the interpenetrating polymer network is supplied by incorporation of an amount of protein, typically gelatin, within the PNIPAAM. The compositions of the invention find particular use in surgical applications for the repair of damaged tissues, e.g.