Patent ID: 8507002
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: A61L

Abstract:
1. A method for producing a hydrogel composition comprising water and a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer, wherein the hydrogel composition has (a) an ultimate tensile strength of about 10 kPa or more, (b) a compressive strength of about 70 kPa or more, or (c) an ultimate tensile strength of about 10 kPa or more and a compressive strength of about 70 kPa or more, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a compression mold having an internal volume, (b) providing a hydrogel precursor in powder or pellet form comprising a melt-processable, radiation crosslinkable, hydrophilic polymer which is poly(ethyleneoxide) having an average molecular weight of about 1,000,000 atomic mass units or greater, (c) filling at least a portion of the internal volume of the compression mold with the precursor, (d) compressing the precursor contained within the compression mold to form a molded body therefrom, (e) irradiating at least a portion of the molded body by exposing the molded body to gamma, X-ray, or electron beam radiation the absence of water, to crosslink at least a portion of the hydrophilic polymer contained within the molded body, and (f) hydrating the irradiated molded body to form a hydrogel composition therefrom; wherein the hydrogel composition has a water content of at least 75% by weight, wherein the molded body is hydrated by submerging at least a portion of the molded body in an aqueous solution having a temperature of about 50° C. to about 90° C. for about 120 hours to about 220 hours.