Abstract: The present invention is an implantable medical device comprising (i) a base coat layer having an inner and outer surface, the inner surface of the base coat layer contacting the implantable medical device; (ii) a top-coat layer of a hydrophilic polymer chemically crosslinked and covalently bonded to the outer surface of the base coat layer, the hydrophilic polymer comprising an anionic polyelectrolyte; and (iii) an amount of a hydrophilic cationic drug agent added to the top-coat layer sufficient to provide an effective dosage of the drug agent for delivery to a patient, whereby the hydrophilic cationic drug agent is initially adsorbed into the anionic polyelectrolyte of the top-coat layer and the hydrophilic cationic drug agent having a release rate after the medical device is implanted within a patient's body.

Abstract: Biocompatible, lubricious, highly durable coatings for medical devices are formed from a highly adherent base coat and a hydrophilic top-coat which is chemically grafted to the base coat. The base coat includes an aqueous acrylic emulsion polymer, having one or more monomers having alkyl groups of varying number. The monomers are combined such that the “Equivalent Alkyl Number”, essentially a weighted average number of carbon atoms, for the resulting polymer or copolymer, is in a range of about 3.5-4.5. The coating is prepared without using any organic solvents, and thus the final product contains no residue of such solvents. The coated products display an unmatched combination of adhesion, abrasion resistance, water resistance, biocompatibility, and lubricity.

Abstract: Biocompatible, lubricious, highly durable coatings for medical devices are formed from a highly adherent base coat and a hydrophilic top-coat which is chemically grafted to the base coat. The base coat includes an aqueous acrylic emulsion polymer, having one or more monomers having alkyl groups of varying number. The monomers are combined such that the “Equivalent Alkyl Number”, essentially a weighted average number of carbon atoms, for the resulting polymer or copolymer, is in a range of about 3.5-4.5. The coating is prepared without using any organic solvents, and thus the final product contains no residue of such solvents. The coated products display an unmatched combination of adhesion, abrasion resistance, water resistance, biocompatibility, and lubricity.

Abstract: Polymer blends of at least one polar polymer are prepared by admixture with a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a (meth)acrylate copolymer also containing vinyl amide and/or unsaturated acid units. The ternary compositions have attractive processing and performance properties.

Abstract: Acrylic light pipe as described in Bigley et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,406,641 and 5,485,541, has adequate thermal stability for many purposes. It has been found that improved thermal stability, as reflected in color formation, can be imparted by adjusting the polymerization conditions to produce the uncured core polymer of the core/clad construction with a much reduced terminal vinyl content, preferably below 0.5 vinyl groups/1000 monomer units.

Abstract: Polymers containing a high percentage of vinyl alcohol units may be blended with copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and unsaturated organic acids and processed into sheet, film, fiber and other objects which exhibit an useful balance of barrier and strength properties.