Patent ID: 7008635
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
1. A composition for forming a water-absorbing, high modulus polymeric, hydrogel-forming material comprising at least one macromer and at least one monomer, wherein the macromer comprises hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, has a molecular weight of 1000 to 100,000 Da and has at least two covalently polymerizable groups, and the macromer comprises at least 5% (wt/wt) of the composition, wherein the monomer contains at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and has a molecular weight of less than 1,000 Da, and wherein the monomer comprises at least 30% (wt/wt) of the composition, and wherein the composition forms a gel upon polymerization, and wherein the gel is characterized as having the following properties, a) absorbing water to less than 300% of its initial weight, on equilibration with water or body liquids; b) having a tensile modulus of at least 500 kPa or greater at equilibrium swelling with an aqueous solution b) having a solids content of at least 20% after equilibration in water or bodily liquids, c) having an elongation to failure of at least 25% at hydration equilibrium; and d) being sufficiently biocompatible to permit the treatment or repair of biological tissue, or used as an implant in a patient.