PREPARATION OF HYDROPHILIC PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVES HAVING OPTIMIZED ADHESIVE PROPERTIES

Abstract: A method for preparing hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) compositions is provided, wherein the method enables preparation of adhesives having a particular, optimized degree of adhesion. That is, the hydrophilic PSA is comprised of a hydrophilic polymer and a complementary short-chain plasticizing agent, wherein the hydrophilic polymer and plasticizing agent are capable of hydrogen bonding or electrostatic bonding to each other and are present in a ratio that optimizes key characteristics of the adhesive composition, such as adhesive strength, cohesive strength and hydrophilicy. The adhesive is useful in a wide variety of contexts, e.g., as a biomedical adhesive for application to the skin or other body surface, and as such finds utility in the areas of drug delivery systems (e.g., topical, transdermal, transmucosal, iontophoretic), medical skin coverings and wound healing products and biomedical electrodes.

Description: PREPARATION OF HYDROPHILIC PRESSURE SENSITIVE ADHESIVES HAVING OPTIMIZED ADHESIVE PROPERTIES TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to preparation of adhesive compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to preparation of hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) compositions having optimized adhesive properties and that are useful, for example, in transdermal drug delivery systems and other medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products that adhere to the skin or other body surface. The invention has utility in a number of fields, including transdermal drug delivery, iontophoretic systems, biomedical electrode fabrication, wound healing, and skin care and cosmetic products. BACKGROUND ART Pressure-sensitive adhesives are well known and have been used for many years in a variety of industrial, consumer and medical applications. Pressure-sensitive adhesives are characterized as being normally tacky and exhibiting instant tack when applied to a substrate. Many polymers have been used to manufacture pressure sensitive adhesives as, for example, acrylic and methacrylic ester homo- or copolymers, butyl rubber-based systems, silicones, urethanes, vinyl esters and amides, olefin copolymer materials, natural or synthetic rubbers, and the like. All the PSAs are elastomers, i.e. they exhibit viscoelastic properties typical of rubbers. Pressure ' sensitive adhesives are used extensively in transdermal drug delivery devices, or "patches," that adhere to the skin or mucosal tissue during use. Adhesive, transport, reservoir and biological properties of polymeric composites constitute a basis for their application in transdermal drug delivery systems, as follows: Adhesive: High tack coupled with an optimum slip-stick transition point. Transport: Drug release kinetics controlled in terms of transdermal delivery rate and the functional lifetime of device. Reservoir: Drug compatibility and ability to be stored in a stable form tailored to the incorporated drug of interest. Biological: No toxicity, skin irritation and sensitization. Such diverse requirements are difficult to combine in a single system. Examples of pressure sensitive adhesives that have been proposed for use in transdermal drug delivery systems include polysiloxanes (e.g., polydimefhyl siloxanes, polydiphenyl siloxanes, and siloxane blends), polyisobutylenes, polyacrylates, acrylic acid-acrylate copolymers (e.g., copolymers of acrylic acid copolymers with 2-ethylhexyl acrylate or isooctyl acrylate), and tacky rubbers such as polyisobutene, polybutadiene, polystyrene-isoprene copolymers, polystyrene-butadiene copolymers, and neoprene (polychloroprene). All of these PSAs are hydrophobic polymers and their common disadvantage is a loss in adhesion toward hydrated substrates. "Bioadhesion" is defined as a pressure sensitive adhesion with respect to highly hydrated biological tissues such as mucosal tissue. In contrast to conventional PSAs (rubber, polysiloxanes and acrylates) that adhere mainly to dry substrates, bioadhesives (BAs) exhibit good tack when adhered to hydrated biological substrates. To be bioadhesive, water should provide a plasticizing effect on a polymer, i.e., the polymer should be hydrophilic. For example, the range of typical BAs includes slightly cross- linked polyacrylic and polyme hacrylic acids (EP 0371 421) as well as blends of hydrophilic cellulose derivatives (40 - 95 %) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) (US Pat. 4,713,243). Bioadhesives become tacky as the crosslinked polymer swells in significant quantities of water. The cohesive strength of highly swollen hydrophilic polymers is generally low and the BAs thus differ from the PSAs in this regard. For a number of practical purposes, it can be highly useful to have a range of PSA and BA polymeric materials of different hydrophilicity and thus different solubilities in water or in the liquids secreted by the skin and mucosa (sweat, mucus, saliva etc.). Attempts to combine the properties of PSAs and BAs have been described by Biegajski et al. in US Pat. 5,700,478, where a water-soluble pressure-sensitive mucoadhesive was obtained by blending of 95 - 40 % polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with 0 - 50 % hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and 11 - 60 % glycerol. Other examples of hydrophilic polymer blends coupling the properties of PSAs and BAs involve polyacrylic acid-polyvinyl alcohol (PAA-PVA) interpolymeric complexes formed by hydrogen bonding between the monomer units of the complementary polymers chains and plasticized with PEG-200, glycerol or polypropylene glycol (PPG), molecular weight 425 g/mol (German Patent Application DE 42 19 368). The ideal performance characteristics of an adhesive intended for use on human skin and/or mucosal tissue present difficult and conflicting technical requirements. Initially, of course, the pressure sensitive adhesive should be suitable for long-term skin contact, and permeable to and physically and chemically compatible with the active agent and any permeation enhancers or other vehicles or additives that are present. The ideal adhesive should also be nonirritating, noncomedogenic and nonsensitizing, yet bond quickly to skin or mucosal tissue at the intended site of use with only very slight pressure. The adhesive should maintain its bond for as long a period of time as necessary and be resistant to inadvertent removal, yet be easily removed without removing any skin or leaving a residue (a suitable strength of an adhesive joint with the skin ranges from about 200 to 400 N/m under the 180 degree peel test). High tack (i.e., greater than about 50 g/cm 2 ) should be coupled with an optimum transition point from adhesive to cohesive failure. Furthermore, the adhesive should not be weakened or destroyed by exposure to moisture or high humidity. Finally, in order to protect a wound or maintain the integrity of placement of an electrode or other device, the adhesive should resist skin movement and be able to transfer a mechanical load from the adhesive backing to the skin. For many pharmaceuticals, the solubility of the active agent in the reservoir of a transdermal drug delivery device is of decisive importance. With higher solubility, it is possible to increase the rate of transdermal delivery (i.e., the rate at which the active agent migrates from the device and into the skin or mucosal tissue). Because many therapeutic agents are ionogenic organic substances having a higher solubility in hydrophilic media than in lipophilic media, adhesive reservoirs based on hydrophilic polymers would be more versatile than adhesive reservoirs based on hydrophobic polymers. Furthermore, as noted above, pressure sensitive adhesives for application to mucosal tissue should adhere well to hydrated substrates, and hydrophilic adhesives would therefore be ideal. General advantages of hydrophilic adhesives are as follows: 1. Hydrophilic adhesives can provide greater adhesion compared with hydrophobic adhesives, because the surface energy of hydrophilic adhesives is typically higher and closer to that of biological substrates such as skin and mucosal membranes. 2. Hydrophilic adhesives are compatible with a wide variety of drugs, excipients and additives. 3. The plasticizing effect of water sorbed by hydrophilic adhesives from hydrated skin or mucosal tissues enhances adhesion, in contrast to hydrophobic adhesives. 4. The enhanced solubility of drugs in hydrophilic adhesives facilitates control over drug release kinetics. 5. With hydrophilic adhesives, based on hydrophilic polymers, there is an expanded capability to control and manipulate the adhesive-cohesive balance. 6. The adhesive properties of hydrophilic polymers are considerably less sensitive to their molecular weight than those of hydrophobic polymers, as a result of specific intramolecular and intermolecular interaction within hydrophilic adhesives. In order to increase the hydrophilicity of an adhesive composition, hydrophobic PSAs have been "hydrophilized" by incorporation of non-tacky hydrophilic polymers and fillers into a hydrophobic adhesive. Thus, polyisobutylene (PIB) PSA has been hydrophilized by incorporation of cellulose and cellulose derivatives (U.S. Patent No. 4,231,369), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), pectin and gelatin (U.S. Patent Nos. 4, 367,732 and 4,867,748), and SiO 2 (U.S. Patent No. 5,643, 187). Rubber adhesives have also been modified by filling with amphiphilic surfactants, or by treating the PSA polymer with a plasma-oxygen discharge. Acrylic PSAs can be hydrophilized by incorporation of PVP (U.S. Patent No. 5,645,855). Hydrophilization of hydrophobic adhesives, while somewhat effective, tends to result in a partial loss of adhesion. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a novel hydrophilic adhesive composition suitable for use in a wide variety of contexts, e.g., in a topically applied drug delivery system, which composition meets all of the above criteria and provides for an effective delivery rate of any active agent, whether hydrophilic, ionogenic, or lipophilic in nature. The present invention is addressed to the aforementioned need in the art, and enables the development of a wide range of hydrophilic pressure-sensitive adhesives that not only meet all of the aforementioned criteria but provide other advantages as well. For example, the adhesive compositions combine the properties of pressure-sensitive adhesives and bioadhesives and can be used in a number of contexts, including not only transdermal, transmucosal and topical drug delivery systems but also in wound healing products, biomedical electrodes, iontophoretic systems, bioadhesive cushions, and the like. Also, the adhesive compositions can be used with a number of active agents, regardless of hydrophilicity, hydrophobicity, and molecular structure. Manufacture of adhesive products using the present compositions is readily accomplished by a simple extrusion process, obviating the need for organic solvents and the conventional, time-consuming blending and casting method. Finally, the adhesive composition may be readily tailored during manufacture with respect to hygroscopicity, the desired degree of hydrophilicity, adhesive and cohesive strength, and drug delivery kinetics. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is thus a primary object to address the above-described need in the art by providing a method for making hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive compositions useful in transdermal drug delivery systems, iontophoretic systems, wound healing products, biomedical electrodes, and other devices and systems requiring a bioadhesive. It is another object of the invention to provide a hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive that is optimized with respect to adhesive strength, cohesive strength and hydrophilicity. It is another object of the invention to provide a therapeutic system for the topical or transdermal administration of a pharmacologically active agent, wherein the system is provided with an adhesive means comprised of a hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive composition as provided herein. Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. In one aspect of the invention, then, a method is provided for preparing an adhesive composition having an optimized degree of adhesion, comprising: (a) preparing a plurality of compositions each comprised of a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature gp 0 \ admixed with a plasticizer having a glass transition temperature Tg pi and capable of covalently or noncovalen ly crosslinking the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the weight fraction of the hydrophilic polymer in each composition is Wp 0 { , and the weight fraction of the plasticizer in each composition is vi ; (b) calculating predicted glass temperatures Tgp rec n c t e d for each composition using the Fox equation (1) w pot w pi (1) + ■ T - 1 g predicted T g p0 , T g p , and plotting Tgp re dfcted versus w for each composition; (c) determining the glass transition temperature Tg actual f° r eacn composition, and plotting Tg actual versus Wpi for each composition; (d) identifying the region of the plots of (b) and (c) wherein Tg actual * s l ess man τ g predicted? ' such that there is a negative deviation from Tg pre dicted \ (e) within the region identified in (d), identifying the optimum weight of plasticizer w pl optimum at which the negative deviation from Tgp re dicted i s at a maximum; and (f) admixing a monomeric precursor to the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer under polymerizing conditions to provide an adhesive composition having an optimized degree of adhesion, wherein the weight fraction of plasticizer in the composition is w optimum? an d e weight fractionof the hydrophilic polymer in the composition is 1- M optimum- In some cases, e.g., when a lower degree of adhesion is desired, the selected weight percent of the plasticizer will not correspond to the maximum negative deviation of Tg actual fr° m Tgpredicted? but will correspond to some other predetermined deviation of Tg actual from Tgpredicted- Accordingly, in another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for preparing an adhesive composition having a predetermined degree of adhesion, comprising: (a) preparing a plurality of compositions each comprised of a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature Tgpol admixed with a plasticizer having a glass transition temperature Tg pi and capable of covalently or noncovalently crosslinking the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the weight fraction of the hydrophilic polymer in each composition is Wp 0 ι , and the weight fraction of the plasticizer in each composition is vt , such that Wpoi is equal to -Wpi ; (b) calculating predicted glass temperatures Tgp re d\cted f° r eacn composition using the Fox equation (1) w pol W Pi (1) T g predicted T g p0 , T g pl and plotting Tgp rec n C f e d versus w pl f° r eacn composition; (c) determining the glass transition temperature Tg actual f° r eac h composition, and plotting Tg actual versus Wpi for each composition; (d) identifying the region of the plots of (b) and (c) wherein Tg actual has a predetermined deviation from Tgpredicted? and (e) admixing a monomeric precursor to the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer under polymerizing conditions to provide an adhesive composition having a predetermined degree of adhesion, wherein the weight percent of plasticizer in the composition corresponds to a value within the region identified in section (d). In another aspect of the invention, a hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive composition is provided that comprises (a) a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature Tgp 0 ι, and (b) a complementary hydroxyl-terminated or carboxyl-terminated short-chain plasticizing agent having a glass transition temperature Tg pi and capable of hydrogen bonding or electrostatic bonding to the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the weight ratio of hydrophilic polymer to complementary short-chain plasticizing agent is selected so to provide a predetermined deviation in (a) the actual glass transition temperature Tg actual of the composition from (b) the predicted glass transition temperature Tgp re df c ted calculated for the composition using the Fox equation. For maximum adhesion, the predetermined deviation is the maximum negative deviation of Tg actual fr° Tg predicted- Preferably, the difference between Tgp 0 ι and Tg pi is at least about 50°C, such that Tg actual f° r eac h composition is determined solely by Tg p In related aspects of the invention, a hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive composition is provided that comprises (a) a hydrophilic polymer, and (b) a complementary hydroxyl-terminated or carboxyl-terminated short-chain plasticizing agent capable of hydrogen bonding or electrostatic bonding to the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the ratio of hydrogen bonding to covalent crosslinks and/or the ratio of the hydrophilic polymer to the plasticizing agent are selected to optimize the hydrophilicity, adhesive strength and cohesive strength of the composition. In a further aspect of the invention, a drug delivery system is provided for the topical or transdermal administration of a pharmacologically active agent. The drug delivery system includes: (A) a drug reservoir comprising (1) a substantially nonaqueous pressure sensitive adhesive matrix of a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature Tgpol ? and a complementary hydroxyl-terminated or carboxyl-terminated short-chain plasticizing agent having a glass transition temperature Tgpi and capable of hydrogen bonding or electrostatic bonding to the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the weight ratio of hydrophilic polymer to complementary short-chain plasticizing agent is selected so to provide a predetermined deviation in (a) the actual glass transition temperature Tg actual of the composition from (b) the predicted glass transition temperature Tgp re d cted f° r the composition calculated using the Fox equation, and (2) a therapeutically effective amount of the active agent; and (B) a backing layer laminated to the drug reservoir that serves as the outer surface of the device during use. The adhesive compositions herein are also useful in a host of additional applications, e.g., in bandages, wound and burn dressings, ostomy devices, prosthesis securing means, face masks, sound, vibration or impact absorbing materials, and the like. The compositions may be rendered electrically conductive by incorporation of water and/or another electrically conductive material, and may thus be used for attaching an electroconductive article, such as an electrode (e.g., a transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, or "TENS" electrode, an electrosurgical return electrode or an EKG monitoring electrode), to an individual's body surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of the molecular design of a hydrogen-bonded or electrostatic-bonded network complex formed by a long-chain hydrophilic polymer and a short-chain plasticizer. FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the adhesion characteristics of a PVP-PEG (m.w. 400 g/mole) blend, evaluated in terms of the 180° peel force needed to rupture an adhesive bond with a polyethylene (PE) substrate at a debonding rate of 10 mm/min, with respect to the compositional behavior of the glass transition temperature, T g , in the blend. The points denote experimental data, whereas the line connecting the T g s of PVP and PEG-400 was obtained using the Fox equation. FIG. 3 is a plot of ΔC p T g against the composition of PVP blends with PEG-400. FIG. 4 shows the effects of the plasticizer-hydrophilic polymer ratio and the relative humidity of the surrounding atmosphere on the adhesion of PVP plasticized with PEG-400, evaluated in terms of 180° peel force. FIG. 5 represents the Kovacs plot for miscible PVP - PEG blends. FIG. 6 illustrates the squeezing kinetics of PVP-PEG adhesive hydrogel under a fixed compressive load and squeeze recoil upon its removal. The h value is the distance (mm) between the upper and lower plates of the squeeze-recoil tester, which is equal to the thickness of specimen. FIG. 7 is the PVP-PEG adhesive hydrogel flow curve under a compressive load of 1 N at 20° C. FIG. 8 outlines the creep-recoil functions for the PVP - PEG adhesive hydrogel compared to polybutadiene (PB) and polyisoprene (PI) rubbers. FIG. 9 exhibits the water vapor absorption isotherms for PVP and its blends with PEG-400 at ambient temperature. FIG. 10 displays the isotherms of water vapor sorption by polyvinyl caprolactam (PVCap) and PVP at ambient temperature. FIG. 11 outlines the effect of relative humidity (RH) on the adhesion of PVP-PEG and PVCap-PEG hydrogels. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that unless otherwise indicated this invention is not limited to specific therapeutic agents, polymeric materials, drug delivery devices, or the like, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a hydrophilic polymer" includes a mixture of two or more such polymers, reference to "a cross-linking agent" includes mixtures of two or more cross-linking agents, and the like. In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below. The terms "active agent," "drug," and "therapeutic agent" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a chemical material or compound suitable for transdermal or transmucosal administration and which induces a desired effect. The terms include agents that are therapeutically effective, prophylactically effective, or cosmetically effective. Also included are derivatives and analogs of those compounds or classes of compounds specifically mentioned which also induce the desired effect. By "transdermal" drug delivery is meant administration of a drug to the skin surface of an individual so that the drug passes through the skin tissue and into the individual's blood stream. The term "transdermal" is intended to include "transmucosal" drug administration, i.e., administration of a drug to the mucosal (e.g., sublingual, buccal, vaginal, rectal) surface of an individual so that the drug passes through the mucosal tissue and into the individual's blood stream. The term "topical administration" is used in its conventional sense to mean delivery of an active agent to the skin or mucosa, as in, for example, topical drug administration in the prevention or treatment of various skin disorders, the application of cosmetics and cosmeceuticals (including moisturizers, masks, sunscreens, etc.), and the like. Topical administration, in contrast to transdermal administration, provides a local rather than a systemic effect. The term "body surface" is used to refer to skin or mucosal tissue, including the interior surface of body cavities that have a mucosal lining. The term "skin" should be interpreted as including "mucosal tissue" and vice versa. Similarly, when the term "transdermal" is used herein, as in "transdermal drug administration" and "transdermal drug delivery systems," it is to be understood that unless explicitly indicated to the contrary, both "transmucosal" and "topical" administration and systems are intended as well. "Hydrophobic" polymers and "hydrophilic" polymers are defined herein as suggested by Zaikov et al. (1987), "Diffusion of electrolytes in polymers," VSP (Utrecht - Tokyo). It is based on the amount of water vapor absorbed by polymers at 100 % relative humidity. According to this classification, the hydrophobic polymers absorb only up tol wt. % water at 100% relative humidity ("rh"), while the moderately hydrophilic polymer absorbs 1 - 10 % wt. % of water at 100% rh. Hydrophilic polymers are capable of sorbing more than 10 wt. % of water, while hygroscopic polymers sorb more than 20 wt. % of water. The term "crosslinked" herein refers to a composition containing intramolecular and/or intermolecular crosslinks, whether arising through covalent or noncovalent bonding. "Noncovalent" bonding includes hydrogen bonding, electrostatic (ionic) bonding, and absorption. The terms "tack" and "tacky" are qualitative. However, the terms "substantially nontacky" "slightly tacky" and "tacky," as used herein, may be quantified using the values obtained in a PKI or TRBT tack determination method, as follows. By "substantially nontacky" is meant a composition that has a tack value that is less than about 25 g-cm sec, by "slightly tacky" is meant a composition that has a tack value in the range of about 25 g- cm/sec to about 100 g-cm/sec, and by "tack" is meant a hydrogel that has a tack value of at least 100 g-cm/sec. Unless otherwise indicated, all molecular weight values given herein are weight average molecular weights. In a first embodiment, the invention provides a method for obtaining hydrophilic PSAs by mixing a specific amount of a selected hydrophilic polymer with a specific amount of a selected complementary short-chain plasticizer capable of hydrogen bonding to the hydrophilic polymer. Suitable hydrophilic polymers include repeating units derived from an N- vinyl lactam monomer, a carboxy vinyl monomer, a vinyl ester monomer, an ester of a carboxy vinyl monomer, a vinyl amide monomer, and/or a hydroxy vinyl monomer. Such polymers include, by way of example, poly(N- vinyl lactams), poly(N- vinyl acrylamides), poly(N-alkylacrylamides), substituted and unsubstituted acrylic and methacrylic acid polymers, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylamine, copolymers thereof and copolymers with other types of hydrophilic monomers (e.g. vinyl acetate). Poly(N- vinyl lactams) useful herein are preferably noncrosslinked homopolymers or copolymers of N-vinyl lactam monomer units, with N- vinyl lactam monomer units representing the majority of the total monomeric units of a poly (N-vinyl lactams) copolymer. Preferred poly(N-vinyl lactams) for use in conjunction with the invention are prepared by polymerization of one or more of the following N-vinyl lactam monomers: N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone; N-vinyl-2-valerolactam; and N-vinyl-2-caprolactam. Nonlimiting examples of non-N- vinyl lactam comonomers useful with N-vinyl lactam monomeric units include N,N-dimefhylacrylamide, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-l -propane sulfonic acid or its salt, and vinyl acetate. Poly (N-alkylacrylamides) include, by way of example, poly(methacrylamide) and poly(N-isopropy 1 acrylamide)(PNIP AM) . Polymers of carboxy vinyl monomers are typically formed from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, itaconic acid and anhydride, a 1,2- dicarboxylic acid such as maleic acid or fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, or mixtures thereof, with preferred hydrophilic polymers within this class including polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid, with polyacrylic acid most preferred. Preferred hydrophilic polymers herein are the following: poly(N-vinyl lactams), particularly polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and poly(N-vinyl caprolactam) (PVC); poly(N- vinyl acetamides), particularly polyacetamide^er se; polymers of carboxy vinyl monomers, particularly polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid; and copolymers and blends thereof. PVP and PVC are particularly preferred. The molecular weight of the hydrophilic polymer is not critical; however, the weight average molecular weight of the hydrophilic polymer is generally in the range of approximately 100,000 to 2,000,000, more typically in the range of approximately 500,000 to 1,500,000. The hydrophilic polymer may or may not be adhesive in nature, as a nonadhesive hydrophilic polymer will become adhesive upon admixture with a predetermined quantity of the plasticizing agent. The complementary short-chain plasticizing agent is terminated with hydroxyl groups, amino or carboxyl groups, and is typically a monomeric or oligomeric material that has a glass transition temperature T g in the range of about -100°C to about -30°C and a melting temperature T m lower than about 20°C. The plasticizing agent may be also amorphous. The difference between the T g values of polymer and plasticizer has a decisive significance for the adhesive behavior of the polymer-plasticizer blend. Preferably, the difference is greater than about 50° C, preferably greater than about 100° C, and most preferably in the range of about 150° C to about 300° C. The hydrophilic polymer and complementary short-chain plasticizer should be compatible, i.e. capable of forming a homogeneous blend that exhibits a single T g , intermediate between those of the unblended components. Generally, the plasticizing agent will have a molecular weight in the range from about 45 to about 800, preferably in the range of about 45 to about 600. Examples of suitable plasticizing agents include, but are not limited to, low molecular weight polyalcohols (e.g. glycerol), monomeric or oligoalkylene glycols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, ether alcohols (e.g., glycol ethers), alkane diols from butane diol to octane diol includingly, carboxyl-terminated and amino-terminated derivatives of polyalkylene glycols such as polyethylene glycol, and carbonic diacids. Polyalkylene glycols, optionally carboxyl-terminated, are preferred herein, and polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to 600 is an optimal plasticizing agent. The hydrophilic polymer and plasticizer should be miscible with respect to each other and have disparate chain lengths (as may be deduced from the above). The ratio of the weight average molecular weight of the hydrophilic polymer to that of the short-chain plasticizer should be within about 200 and 200,000, preferably within about 1,250 and 20,000. Also, the polymer and the plasticizer should contain complementary functional groups capable of hydrogen bonding or electrostatic bonding to each other. Ideally, the complementary functional groups of the polymer are located throughout the polymeric structure, while the functional groups of the plasticizer are preferably located at the two termini of a linear molecule, and are not present along the backbone, if the plasticizer is a polymer or an oligomer. Forming hydrogen bonds or ionic bonds between the two terminal functional groups of the plasticizer and the corresponding functional groups contained along the backbone of the hydrophilic polymer results in a noncovalently linked supramolecular network structure outlined in simplified view in Figure 1. Strong interaction between the complementary groups of the plasticizer and hydrophilic polymer imparts cohesive strength to the network. At the same time, due to the length and flexibility of the plasticizer molecules, they behave as spacers, creating a free volume between cohesively interacting macromolecules of the hydrophilic polymer. In this way, the apparently conflicting performance properties of pressure-sensitive adhesives are both achieved: a liquid-like fluidity needed for adhesive bonding, coupled with a rubber-like resistance to shear deformation necessary to dissipate the detaching energy under adhesive joint failure. In addition, the plasticizer has been found to decrease the glass transition temperature of the hydrophilic polymer/plasticizer composition to a greater degree than predicted by the Fox equation, which is given by equation (1) w pot w pi (1) + ■ T g predicted T g p0 , - T 1 g pl where Tgp re dicted i the predicted glass transition temperature of the hydrophilic polymer/plasticizer composition, Wp 0 ι is the weight fraction of the hydrophilic polymer in the composition, Wpi is the weight fraction of the plasticizer in the composition, Tgp 0 ι is the glass transition temperature of the hydrophilic polymer, and Tg pi is the glass transition temperature of the plasticizer. The inventors herein have now discovered that an adhesive composition having an optimized (e.g., maximized) degree of adhesion can be prepared from a hydrophilic polymer and a complementary plasticizer by selecting the components and their relative amounts to give a predetermined deviation from Tg predicted ? eve n if each component individually is non-tacky. Generally, the predetermined deviation from Tg predicted will be the maximum negative deviation, such that this is the point where adhesive strength is maximized. That is, the weight ratio of hydrophilic polymer to plasticizer should be of a specified value in order for adhesion to appear in a blend of a non-tacky hydrophilic polymer and a short-chain complementary plasticizer. As FIG. 2 illustrates, in PVP blends with PEG-400 adhesion is inherent only in those compositions that demonstrate negative deviations from the Tg value predicted by the Fox equation (1). The larger the negative deviation, the higher the adhesion. This finding is generally applicable and is not limited to PVP-PEG-400 blends. Preferably, the negative deviation is within the range about 30 ° C to about 150° C, preferentially from about 50 ° C to about 120° C. The extent of the negative Tg deviation depends on the difference between the TgS of blend components, i.e., between Tgp 0 ι and Tgpi. In general, the negative T g deviation should be approximately 20 - 40 % of the difference between the T g values of unblended polymer and plasticizer. Another general predictor of pressure-sensitive adhesive behavior in polymers is the ΔC p T g product, where ΔC p is the change in heat capacity at the polymer transition point from the glassy to the viscoelastic state. This product features a measure of the amount of heat that has to be expended in order to provide the polymer transition from the glassy to the viscoelastic state and to impart translational mobility to polymeric segments. As PVP mixing with PEG-400 occurs, the ΔC p T g product decreases, passing through a minimum that corresponds to the maximum in blend adhesion (Figure 3). It is the product ΔC p T g which sets the PSAs apart from non-adhesive polymers (Table 1). The ΔC p T g values, which are associated with the adhesive PVP-PEG blends and hydrophobic PSA's (PDMS, PIB and natural rubber), are notably grouped within a narrow area ranging from 45.0 to 92.0 J/g, predominantly near 65 - 80 J/g. Non-adhesive polymers exhibit higher ΔC p T g values. Table 1. Glass transition characteristics of representative polymers. The ΔC p T g value outlines a subtle balance between free volume and cohesive interactions energy in polymers (Feldstein et al. (1999), Polym Mater. Sci. Eng. 81:467- 468). In general, the enhanced free volume has to be counterbalanced by a high attractive interaction energy in order for adhesion to appear. Enhanced free volume results in high molecular mobility and liquid-like fluidity of a PSA polymer, whereas substantial cohesive interaction energy provides cohesive toughness and rubber-like resistance to flow. As the actual glass transition temperature Tg actual f r the present adhesive compositions will generally be substantially lower than that predicted by the Fox equation, particularly since the composition of preferred adhesives herein is selected to correspond to the maximum negative deviation of Tg actual fr° m tgpredicted? the heat required to transform a glassy polymer blend to a viscoelastic composition is minimal. When reduced to the most basic molecular level, all performance properties of polymeric materials are interrelated through the structure and interaction of the involved macromolecules. This is also the case for the interrelationship between the diffusivity and tack of pressure-sensitive adhesives. As has been recently shown (Feldstein et al. (2000), Proceed. 23 r " Annual Meeting Adhesion Soc, pp. 54-56), with a cohesive type of adhesive debonding (which is typical of various PSA polymers and polymeric blends) the peel force P necessary to rupture the adhesive bond, P, relates to a self-diffusion coefficient of a PSA polymer segment, D, by equation (2): a - N - τ -D _ 2 (2) P = b - l- M \2RΏTT σ f where b is the width and / the thickness of the adhesive layer, a is a size of diffusing polymer segment, N is Avogadro's number, ris a segmental relaxation time and σ f is a critical stress at adhesive polymer fracture under detaching tensile force. Equation (2) establishes a general relation of adhesive strength to the measures of molecular mobility (D) and cohesive toughness (σ f ) of PSA polymer. While not wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors herein believe that equation (2) explains why adhesion goes through a maximum upon mixing a hydrophilic polymer with a short-chain plasticizer bearing complementary reactive functional groups at the chain ends. Forming hydrogen or electrostatic bonds through both terminal groups of the plasticizer provides noncovalent crosslinking of the hydrophilic polymer chains into a supramolecular network structure of a polymer blend. Due to the considerable length and flexibility of plasticizer chains, the network structure provides enhanced free volume and molecular mobility coupled with high cohesive strength, i.e. the properties governing the adhesive behavior of polymer blends. With the. increase in plasticizer concentration the molecular mobility (D) increases, whereas the cohesive strength (σ f ) follows the opposite pattern. For this reason, lower ratios (i.e., a lower relative amount of hydrophilic polymer) results in a liquid or semi-liquid composition, while higher ratios (i.e., a higher relative amount of hydrophilic polymer) gives a rise to a high cohesive strength material. High cohesive strength can in turn cause a deterioration in mechanical properties and, with drug delivery systems, can also lower the rate of drug release. As is evident from the data in Figure 4, water absorption causes opposite effects on the adhesion of blends of hydrophilic polymers underloaded with a short-chain telechelic plasticizer (27.3 %) and overloaded with such plasticizer (45.8 and 52.9 %). Water vapour absorption is associated with a significant plasticizing action of water as reflected by a significant reduction in glass transition temperature of hydrophilic polymer. The left-hand (ascending) branch of the curves in Figure 3 correspond to compositions in the immediate vicinity of the glass transition, and water behaves there as a plasticizer by promoting the transition of the PSA into a viscoelastic state and enhancing adhesion. By contrast, for rubbery blends in the right-hand (descending) branches of the plot, water serves as a cosolvent and contributes to the reduction of adhesive toughness by decreasing the cohesive strength of hydrogels (equation (2)). In this way, by varying the ratio of the plasticizer to the hydrophilic polymer, a composition may be transformed from bioadhesive to pressure-sensitive adhesive. The PVP-PEG system is considered here as a model, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this regard, and a number of hydrophilic polymers and plasticizers may be substituted for PVP and PEG, respectively. The broad applicability of the invention results primarily from the properties of the plasticizers rather than those of the hydrophilic polymers. This fundamental conclusion has also a theoretical confirmation. As is evident from Examples 1 - 67, a specific type of compositional behavior of the blend Tg, outlined by both the negative deviations from the weight-average magnitudes obtained with the Fox equation (1), -ΔT g , and the ΔC p T g quantity, is a factor controlling adhesion. Over the years, numerous equations have been proposed to express the Tg - composition dependence of miscible polymer blends and plasticized systems (see Aubin (1988), Prud'homme R.E. "Analysis of the glass transition temperature of miscible polymer blends," Macromolecules 21 :2945-2949). In general, it is observed, that Tg varies monotonically as a function of composition demonstrating a rapid initial reduction followed by a gradual leveling off the response as a plasticizer is added. The difference between measured Tg values and those predicted with relevant equations is usually considered a measure of the strength of interactions between molecules of the involved components. The Kovacs equation (3) holds if the difference in Tg between the glass transition temperature of a PEG plasticizer component and the glass transition temperature of a PVP polymer (and between any miscible hydrophilic polymer and complementary plasticizer) is larger than about 50° C: J g pvp ΦPVP (3) T g ~ T gpEG + Aa PEG Φ PEG whete fg is the fractional free volume of PVP at T g , Δα is the thermal expansion coefficient for PEG and φ is polymer volume fraction in the blend. The * factor has been found to be of the same universal magnitude, about 0.025, for all polymers (see Ferry (1970). Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers, 2nd Ed., Wiley: N.Y., Chapter 11). The Kovacs equation (3) manifests theoretically that the specific behavior of a PVP-PEG system is due to the PEG properties. Actually, no other factors relating to PVP, except for the universal fg value (which, again, is of a common magnitude for different polymers), control the blend T g . Thus, the validity of the Kovacs equation for the PVP-PEG system implies that the difference between the TgS of a hydrophilic polymer and a short-chain complementary plasticizer should be larger than 50° C in order for pressure-sensitive adhesion to appear upon blending the polymer and plasticizer. Equation (3) indicates also that for every given short-chain telechelic plasticizer, the blend composition that corresponds to the maximum negative deviation in Tg actual from Tg vτedicted , and, consequently, to the maximum adhesion, is practically unaffected by the structure of the higher-T g hydrophilic complementary polymer. In other words, if the highest degree of adhesive strength appears in PVP-PEG blends at a PEG concentration of 36 wt. %, PEG blends with other complementary hydrophilic polymers will also exhibit the maximum degree of adhesion in vicinity of 36 wt. % plasticizer, providing that the Tg of the hydrophilic polymer is more than 50° C higher than the Tg of the plasticizer. The hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizing agent are blended in a ratio designed to optimize adhesive and cohesive strength as well as hydrophilicity and thus, in drug delivery systems, the kinetics of drug delivery. The ratio is as discussed above, i.e., a preferred weight ratio of hydrophilic polymer to plasticizer should be in the range defined by the maximum values of the negative T g deviations from the weight-average magnitudes calculated using the Fox equation (1) or outlined by the minimum values of the ΔC p T g criterion (Figures 2 and 3). The free volume and cohesive energy of polymer compositions have to be in a specified ratio in order for a composition to exhibit pressure-sensitive adhesion. See Feldstein et al. (1999), "Quantitative relationship between molecular structure and adhesion of PVP - PEG hydrogels," Polym. Mater. Sci. Eng. 81:465-466; Feldstein et al. (1999), "Contribution of molecular mobility to debonding of pressure sensitive adhesive hydrogels," Polym. Mater. Sci. Eng. 81:465-466; Feldstein et al. (1999), "A structure - property relationship and quantitative approach to the development of universal transdermal drug delivery system," in: T. Sohn and V.A. Voicu (eds.), NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) Risks - Current Capabilities and Future Perspectives for Protection, Kluwer Academic Publishers, NATO Science Series: 1. Disarmament Technologies, vol. 25, Dordrecht-Boston-London, (1999), pp. 441-458; and Feldstein et al. (2000), "Molecular insight into rheological and diffusion determinants of pressure sensitive adhesion," Proceed. 23 rd Annual Meeting Adhesion Soc. 2000, pp. 54-56. Generally, for high adhesion, substantial cohesive interactions have to be counterbalanced by a large free volume. The energy of cohesive interactions in adhesive gels is controlled by both the hydrophilic polymer / short-chain plasticizer ratio and the crosslinker / hydrophilic polymer ratio. As a measure of adhesion, the durability of adhesive joints under fixed detaching force, t* (sec), may be employed, using a squeeze- recoil test described by Kotomin et al. (2000), "Durability and fracture of some viscoelastic adhesives," Proceed. 23 r ^ Annual Meeting Adhesion Soc, pp. 413-415. A longer period of durability indicates a higher degree of adhesion in terms of a conventional peel test. The composition may or may not be hydrated, depending on the desired use. For example, transdermal and transmucosal drug delivery systems will generally contain zero to about 7 wt.% water, while products such as facial masks, electroconductive adhesive products, cosmeceutical products, topical pharmaceutical formulations, and other products in which a gel type adhesive (i.e., a hydrogel adhesive) is desired, will generally contain about 7 wt.% to about 40 wt.% water. The optimum degree of hydration depends on the nature and hygroscopic of the hydrophilic polymer and the short-chain plasticizer. For example, an optimum PVP-PEG-400 system for most uses will contain from 2 to 20 wt.% of residual water, preferably from 2 to 12 wt.% water, most preferably between 6 and 10 wt.% water. It will be appreciated that the rise in plasticizer hygrosopicity with the decrease in PEG chain length leads to an increase in the degree of optimum hydration, whereas the replacement of highly hygrosopic PVP with less hygrosopic PVCap results in the decrease of hydration providing best adhesion. However, some hydration will occur upon application of the adhesive composition to skin or other body surface. In some cases, it may be desirable to add water or an organic solvent such as ethanol to the adhesive composition prior to use so as to generate a hydrogel. A hydrogel may be advantageous in a number of contexts. The compositions are self-adhesive and normally do not require the addition of tackifiers. However, other additives may be incorporated into the present adhesive compositions, so long as they are not detrimental to the composition in any way. For example, the following optional components are often present in adhesive formulations and are presented here for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to limit the adhesive compositions in any way. These optional components include including fillers, chain transfer agents for controlling molecular weight (e.g., carbon tetrabromide, mercaptans, or alcohols), pigments, dyes, refractive particles, preservatives, stabilizers, toughening agents, antimicrobial agents (e.g., mercurochrome, silver sulfadiazine, povidine iodine, iodine), cosmetic agents (e.g., glycerine, urea, allantoin, sulfur, anthraquinone, hydroquinones), moisturizers, humectants, anesthetics (e.g., benzocaine), healing agents (e.g., collagen), and the like. Insoluble fibrous fillers may be advantageously incorporated to control the degree of hydration when the adhesive is on the skin or other body surface. Such fillers can include cellulosic materials as described in International Patent Publication No. WO 89/03859, e.g., woven and non- woven paper and cotton materials. Other suitable fillers are inert, i.e., substantially non-adsorbent, and include, for example, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyurethane polyether amid copolymers, polyesters and polyester copolymers, nylon and rayon. These additives, and amounts thereof, are selected in such a way that they do not significantly interfere with polymerization, crosslinking or the desired chemical and physical properties of the final adhesive. The adhesive compositions may be rendered electrically conductive for use in biomedical electrodes and other electrotherapy contexts, i.e., to attach an electrode or other electrically conductive member to the body surface. For example, the adhesive compositions may be used to attach a transcutaneous nerve stimulation electrode, an electrosurgical return electrode, or an EKG electrode to a patient's skin or mucosal tissue. Generally, these applications involve modification of the adhesive composition so as to contain a conductive species, thereby rendering the adhesive composition as a whole conductive. Suitable conductive species include the ionically conductive electrolytes that are commonly used for application to the skin or other body surface, and include ionizable inorganic salts, organic compounds, or combinations of both. Examples of ionically conductive electrolytes include, but are not limited to, ammonium sulfate, ammonium acetate, monoethanolamine acetate, diethanolamine acetate, sodium lactate, sodium citrate, magnesium acetate, magnesium sulfate, sodium acetate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium sulfate, lithium chloride, lithium perchlorate, sodium citrate and potassium chloride, and redox couples such as a mixture of ferric and ferrous salts such as sulfates and gluconates. Preferred salts are potassium chloride, sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, and magnesium acetate, and potassium chloride is most preferred for EKG applications. Although virtually any amount of electrolyte may be present in the adhesive compositions of the invention, it is preferable that any water-soluble electrolyte be present at a concentration in the range of about 0.1 to about 15 wt% of the mixture. The procedure described in U.S. Patent No. 5,846,558 to Nielsen et al. for fabricating biomedical electrodes may be adapted for use with the adhesive compositions of the invention. Other suitable fabrication procedures may be used as well, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. For certain applications, particularly when high cohesive strength is desired, the adhesive composition should be covalently crosslinked. The hydrophilic polymer may be ft covalently crosslinked, either intramolecularly or intermolecularly, and/or the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer may be covalently crosslinked. In the former case, there are no covalent bonds linking the hydrophilic polymer to the plasticizer, while in the latter case, there are covalent crosslinks binding the hydrophilic polymer to the plasticizer. The hydrophilic polymer, or the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer, may be covalently crosslinked using heat, radiation, or a chemical curing (crosslinking) agent. For thermal crosslinking of the adhesive composition, a free radical polymerization initiator should be added into the polymer blend, i.e., the admixture of the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer. The free radical polymerization initiator can be any of the known free radical-generating initiators conventionally used in vinyl polymerization and is preferably an organic peroxide or azo compound. The initiators can be used in conventional amounts, generally from 0.01 to 15%, preferably 0.05 to 10%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 5% and especially from a out 0.5% to about 4% by weight of the polymerisable material. Suitable organic peroxides include dialkyl peroxides such as t-butyl peroxide and 2,2 bis(t-butylperoxy)propane, diacyl peroxides such as benzoyl peroxide and acetyl peroxide, peresters such as t-butyl perbenzoate and t-butyl per-2-ethylhexanoate, perdicarbonates such as dicetyl peroxy dicarbonate and dicyclohexyl peroxy dicarbonate, ketone peroxides such as cyclohexanone peroxide and methylefhylketone peroxide, and hydroperoxides such as cumene hydroperoxide and tert.butyl hydroperoxide. Suitable azo compounds include azo bis (isobutyronitrile) and azo bis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile). The temperature and thermally crosslink the adhesive composition will depend on the actual components and may be readily deduced by one of ordinary skill in the art, but typically ranges from about 80 °C to about 200 °C. The hydrophilic polymer, or the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer, may also be crosslinked with radiation, typically in the presence of a photoinitator. The radiation may be ultraviolet, alpha, beta, gamma, electron beam, and x-ray radiation, although ultraviolet radiation is preferred. Useful photosensitizers are triplet sensitizers of the "hydrogen abstraction" type, and include benzophenone and substituted benzophenone and acetophenones such as benzyl dimethyl ketal, 4-acryloxybenzophenone (ABP), 1-hydroxy- cyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 2,2-diethoxyacetophenone and 2,2-dimethoxy-2- phenylacetophenone, substituted alpha-ketols such as 2-methyl-2-hydroxypropiophenone, benzoin ethers such as benzoin methyl ether and benzoin isopropyl ether, substituted benzoin ethers such as anisoin methyl ether, aromatic sulfonyl chlorides such as 2-naphthalene sulfonyl chloride, photoactive oximes such as 1-phenyl- l,2-propanedione-2-(O-ethoxy-carbonyl)-oxime, thioxanthones including alkyl- and halogen-substituted thioxanthonse such as 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 2-chlorothioxanthone, 2,4 dimethyl thioxanone, 2,4 dichlorothioxanone, and 2,4-diethyl thioxanone, and acyl phosphine oxides. Radiation having a wavelength of 200 to 800 nm, preferably, 200 to 500 nm, is preferred for use herein, and low intensity ultraviolet light is sufficient to induce crosslinking in most cases. However, with photosensitizers of the hydrogen abstraction type, higher intensity UV exposure may be necessary to achieve sufficient crosslinking. Such exposure can be provided by a mercury lamp processor such as those available from PPG, Fusion, Xenon, and others. Crosslinking may also be induced by irradiating with gamma radiation or an electron beam. Appropriate irradiation parameters, i.e., the type and dose of radiation used to effect crosslinking, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Suitable chemical curing agents, also referred to as chemical cross-linking "promoters," include, without limitation, polymercaptans such as 2,2-dimercapto diethylether, dipentaerythritol hexa(3-mercaptopropionate), ethylene bis(3- mercaptoacetate), pentaerythritol tetra(3-mercaptopropionate), pentaerythritol tetrathioglycolate, polyethylene glycol dimercaptoacetate, polyethylene glycol di(3- mercaptopropionate), trimethylolethane tri(3-mercaptopropionate), trimethylolethane trithioglycolate, trimethylolpropane tri(3 -mercaptopropionate), trimethylolpropane trithioglycolate, dithioethane, di- or trithiopropane and 1,6-hexane dithiol. The crosslinking promoter is added to the uncrosslinked hydrophilic polymer to promote covalent crosslinking thereof, or to a blend of the uncrosslinked hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer, to provide crosslinking between the two components. The hydrophilic polymer may also be crosslinked prior to admixture with the plasticizer. In such a case, it may be preferred to synthesize the polymer in crosslinked form, by admixing a monomeric precursor to the polymer with multifunctional comonomer and copolymerizing. Examples of monomeric precursors and corresponding polymeric products are as follows: N-vinyl amide precursors for a poly(N- vinyl amide) product; N-alkylacrylamides for a poly(N-alkylacrylamide) product; acrylic acid for a polyacrylic acid product; methacrylic acid for a polymethacrylic acid product; acrylonitrile for a poly(acrylonitrile) product; and N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) for a polyviny lpyrrolidone product. Polymerization may be carried out in bulk, in suspension, in solution, or in an emulsion. Solution polymerization is preferred, and polar organic solvents such as ethyl acetate and lower alkanols (e.g., ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, etc.) are particularly preferred. For preparation of hydrophilic vinyl polymers, synthesis will typically take place via a free radical polymerization process in the presence of a free radical initiator as described above. The multifunctional comonomer include, for example, bisacrylamide, acrylic or methacrylic esters of diols such as butanediol and hexanediol (1,6-hexane diol diacrylate is preferred), other acrylates such as pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, and 1,2-ethylene glycol diacrylate, and 1,12-dodecanediol diacrylate. Other useful multifunctional crosslinking monomers include oligomeric and polymeric multifunctional (meth)acrylates, e.g., polyethylene oxide) diacrylate or poly(ethylene oxide) dimethacrylate; polyvinylic crosslinking agents such as substituted and unsubstituted divinylbenzene; and difunctional urethane acrylates such as EBECRYL ® 270 and EBECRYL ® 230 (1500 weight average molecular weight and 5000 weight average molecular weight acrylated urethanes, respectively —both available from UCB of Smyrna, Ga.), and combinations thereof. If a chemical crosslinking agent is employed, the amount used will preferably be such that the weight ratio of crosslinking agent to hydrophilic polymer is in the range of about 1 :100 to 1 :5. To achieve a higher crosslink density, if desired, chemical crosslinking is combined with radiation curing. The adhesive compositions of the invention are extrudable, and thus may be prepared using a simple blending and extruding process. The components of the composition are weighed out and then admixed, for example using a Baker Perkins Blender, generally although not necessarily at an elevated temperature, e.g., about 35 °C to about 90 °C. Solvents may, if desired, be added. Preferred solvents are aqueous solvents or alcohols (e.g., ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, etc.). Any crosslinking is carried out subsequently. The resulting composition can be extruded using a single or twin extruder, or pelletized. In the manufacture of transdermal (or transmucosal) drug delivery system, the adhesive composition may be prepared or extruded onto the backing layer or release liner of such a system. That is, such drug delivery systems generally comprise: (A) a drug reservoir containing a therapeutically effective amount of the active agent; (B) an adhesive means for maintaining the system in active agent transmitting relationship to a body surface; and (C) a backing layer that serves as the outer surface of the device during use, wherein (D) a release liner generally covers the exposed adhesive during storage and prior to use. Any number of active agents can be admimstered using the drug delivery systems of the invention. Suitable active agents include the broad classes of compounds normally delivered through body surfaces and membranes; these active agents, in general, include: analeptic agents; analgesic agents; anesthetic agents; antiarthritic agents; respiratory drugs, including antiasthmatic agents; anticancer agents, including antineoplastic drugs; anticholinergics; anticonvulsants; antidepressants; antidiabetic agents; antidiarrheals; antihelminthics; antihistamines; antihyperlipidemic agents; antihypertensive agents; anti-infective agents such as antibiotics and antiviral agents; antiinflammatory agents; antimigraine preparations; antinauseants; antiparkinsonism drugs; antipruritics; antipsychotics; antipyretics; antispasmodics; antitubercular agents; antiulcer agents; antiviral agents; anxiolytics; appetite suppressants; attention deficit disorder ("ADD") and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ("ADHD") drugs; cardiovascular preparations including calcium channel blockers, antianginal agents, central nervous system ("CNS") agents, beta-blockers and antiarrhythmic agents; central nervous system stimulants; cough and cold preparations, including decongestants; diuretics; genetic materials; herbal remedies; hormonolytics; hypnotics; hypoglycemic agents; immunosuppressive agents; leukotriene inhibitors; mitotic inhibitors; muscle relaxants; narcotic antagonists; nicotine; nutritional agents, such as vitamins, essential amino acids and fatty acids; ophthalmic drugs such as antiglaucoma agents; parasympatholytics; peptide drugs; psychostimulants; sedatives; steroids, including progestogens, estrogens, corticosteroids, androgens and anabolic agents; smoking cessation agents; sympathomimetics; tranquilizers; and vasodilators including general coronary, peripheral and cerebral. Specific active agents with which the present adhesive compositions are useful include, without limitation, anabasine, capsaicin, isosorbide dinitrate, aminostigmine, glyceryl trinitrate, verapamil, propranolol, silabolin, foridone, clonidine, cytisine, phenazepam, nifedipine, fluacizin, and salbutamol. With some active agents, it may be necessary to administer the drug along with a permeation enhancer in order to achieve a therapeutically effective flux through the skin. Suitable enhancers include, for example, the following: sulfoxides such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and decylmethylsulfoxide (C 10 MSO); ethers such as diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (available commercially as Transcutol ® ) and diethylene glycol monomethyl ether; surfactants such as sodium laurate, sodium lauryl sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, benzalkonium chloride, Poloxamer (231, 182, 184), Tween (20, 40, 60, 80) and lecithin (U.S. Patent No. 4,783,450); the 1-substituted azacycloheptan-2-ones, particularly l-n-dodecylcyclazacycloheptan-2-one (available under the trademark Azone ® from Nelson Research & Development Co., Irvine, Calif; see U.S. Patent Nos. 3,989,816, 4,316,893, 4,405,616 and 4,557,934); alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, octanol, decanol, benzyl alcohol, and the like; fatty acids such as lauric acid, oleic acid and valeric acid; fatty acid esters such as isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, methylpropionate, and ethyl oleate; polyols and esters thereof such as propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, butanediol, polyethylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol monolaurate ("PEGML"; see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,568,343); amides and other nitrogenous compounds such as urea, dimethylacetamide (DMA), dimethylformarnide (DMF), 2-pyrrolidone, l-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, ethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine; terpenes; alkanones; and organic acids, particularly salicylic acid and salicylates, citric acid and succinic acid. Mixtures of two or more enhancers may also be used. A preferred enhancer is ethanol, which not only serves as a permeation enhancer, but also solubilizes many active agents of interest and in addition improves adhesion. An ethanol- water mixture may also be used. It is pertinent to note, that a range of above mentioned skin permeability enhancers serves concomitantly in the adhesive composition as appropriate plasticizing agents, e.g. polyols such as propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, butanediol, hexanediol and polyethylene glycol. The backing layer of the transdermal drug delivery device functions as the primary structural element of the transdermal system and provides the device with flexibility, drape and, optionally, occlusivity. The material used for the backing layer should be inert and incapable of absorbing drug, enhancer or other components of the pharmaceutical composition contained within the device. The material used for the backing layer should permit the device to follow the contours of the skin and be worn comfortably on areas of skin such as at joints or other points of flexure, that are normally subjected to mechanical strain with little or no likelihood of the device disengaging from the skin due to differences in the flexibility or resiliency of the skin and the device. Examples of materials useful for the backing layer are polyesters, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethanes and polyether amides. The layer is preferably in the range of about 15 microns to about 250 microns in thickness, and may, if desired, be pigmented, metallized, or provided with a matte finish suitable for writing. The layer is preferably nonocclusive (or "breathable"), i.e., is preferably permeable to moisture. During storage and prior to use, the laminated structure includes a release liner. Immediately prior to use, this layer is removed from the device so that the system may be affixed to the skin. The release liner should be made from a drug/vehicle impermeable material, and is a disposable element which serves only to protect the device prior to application. Typically, the release liner is formed from a material impermeable to the components of the device and the pharmaceutical composition contained therein. Additional layers, e.g., intermediate fabric layers and/or rate-controlling membranes, may also be present in any of these drug delivery systems. Fabric layers may be used to facilitate fabrication of the device, while a rate-controlling membrane may be used to control the rate at which a component permeates out of the device. The component may be a drug, a permeation enhancer, or some other component contained in the drug delivery system. In any of these transdermal systems, it may be desirable to include a rate- controlling membrane in the system on the skin side of the drug reservoir. The materials used to form such a membrane are selected to limit the flux of one or more components contained in the drug formulation, and the membrane may be either microporous or dense. Representative materials useful for forming rate-controlling membranes include polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyamides, polyesters, ethylene- ethacrylate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl methylacetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl ethylacetate copolymer, ethylene-vinyl propylacetate copolymer, polyisoprene, polyacrylonitrile, ethylene-propylene copolymer, polysiloxane- polycarbonate block copolymer and the like. The adhesive compositions of the invention are useful in any number of additional contexts wherein adhesion of a product to a body surface is called for or desirable. These applications include, for example, pressure-relieving cushions for application to a foot, wherein the cushions may or may not contain medication for transdermal or topical delivery, e.g., salicylic acid or the like. Such cushions will generally be comprised of a flexible, resilient outer layer, fabricated from a foam pad, fabric, or the like, with a layer of an adhesive composition of the invention laminated thereto for application to the skin surface. In this embodiment, cohesive strength is important for the product to function as a pressure-relieving cushion, and the hydrophilic polymer should therefore be covalently crosslinked to a degree sufficient to impart the necessary cohesive strength. Another application of the present adhesives is in wound dressing products and other medical skin coverings such as adhesive tapes or the like. Such adhesive compositions may or may not be medicated; if medicated, they will generally contain anti- infective agents and/or other types of pharmacologically active agents. Medical skin coverings such as adhesive tapes and wound dressings may be readily fabricated using conventional manufacturing techniques, including the procedure described in U.S. Patent No. 5,985,990. The adhesive compositions are also useful in conjunction with medical devices to be affixed to a body surface, diagnostic systems or devices to be affixed to a body surface, and any other application wherein adhesion to a body surface is necessary or desired. Accordingly, the present invention represents an important advance in the field of pressure sensitive adhesives, particularly bioadhesives. The novel adhesive compositions adhere well to hydrated surfaces such as mucosal tissue, are suitable for long-term skin contact and are nonirritating, noncomedogenic and nonsensitizing, are permeable to and physically and chemically compatible with a variety of drugs and drug types, and can enhance the rate at which an active agent migrates into a body surface. Furthermore, the present adhesive composition can be used in a variety of contexts, and can be readily tailored during manufacture with respect to hygroscopicity and the desired degree of hydrophilicity, adhesive and cohesive strength. The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of drug delivery and associated manufacturing techniques, which are within the skill of the art. Such techniques are fully explained in the literature. See Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, cited supra, as well as Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1996). It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred specific embodiments thereof, the foregoing description, as well as the examples which follow, are intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. Other aspects, advantages and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the compounds of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in °C and pressure is at or near atmospheric. EXAMPLES 1 -16 Preparation of PSA matrices by blending PVP and PEG-400: Effects of composition, hydration and the thickness of adhesive layer Adhesive films of 250-300 μm in thickness were prepared by dissolving hydrophilic polymers and PEG (M w = 400) in a common solvent (ethyl alcohol) followed by casting the solution on a backing film and drying. Unsupported PVP-PEG hydrogels were obtained by casting the relevant solutions onto release liner followed by drying at ambient temperature. Adhesive joint strength of the adhesive hydrogels to standard polyethylene (PE) film of 100 m in thickness was evaluated by al 80° peel test with an Instron 1221 Tensile Strength Tester at the peeling rate of 10 mm/min. A low-density PE film, crystallinity 45 %, contact angle 105° , surface energy 28.5 mJ/m 2 , was employed as a standard substrate. The adhesives were saturated with water by equilibrating in dessicators with a controlled pressure of water vapor of 50 % at ambient temperature for 6-7 days. The time to attain a maximum strength of adhesive contact with the substrate was 15-20 min. The character of adhesive joint failure was observed with a TV camera interfaced to an IBM computer and photographed with a microscope. The locus of failure was ascertained by contact angle measurement of the detached substrate surface. Phase behavior of the hydrophilic polymers blends with PEG-400 over an entire compositional range was investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) using a Mettler TA 4000 / DSC-30 differential scanning calorimeter calibrated with indium and gallium. In the DSC apparatus, the samples were first quench cooled with liquid nitrogen from ambient temperature to -100° C over 2-3 minutes and then heated at a rate of 20° C min ! to 220° C. Upon heating, a heat capacity jump followed by a single exotherm coupled with a symmetric endofherm, and a high temperature endotherm, were normally observed for the blends. These four transitions were respectively attributed to glass transition, PEG cold crystallization, melting, and water thermodesoφtion (see Feldstein et al. (2000), "Coherence of thermal transitions in poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) - poly(ethylene glycol) compatible blends," Polymer 4J_(14):5327-5359). The glass transition temperatures, T g , were recorded at half-height of the relevant heat capacity jumps in DSC heating thermograms. All reported values are the average of replicate experiments varying less than 1-2 %. Samples of 5-15 mg in weight were sealed in standard aluminum pans supplied with pierced lids so that absorbed moisture could evaporate upon heating. An argon purge (50 mL min "1 ) was used to avoid moisture condensation at the sensor. The content of absorbed water in the blends was determined by weighing the samples before and after DSC scans using a Mettler Analytical Balance, AE 240, with an accuracy of ± 0.01 mg. Weight loss of the sample after scanning was compared to the amount of desorbed water evaluated from the enthalpy change associated with water evaporation from the sample by DSC. Water vapor sorption: Adhesive films were equilibrated at room temperature in desiccators over aqueous H 2 SO 4 solutions of controlled density which maintained the required relative humidity ranged from 10 to 90 %. Equilibrium water sorption was measured gravimetrically and confirmed with a vacuum assembly containing a quartz- spring microbalance. Viscoelastic properties and the durability of adhesive joints of adhesive hydrogels were studied using a squeeze-recoil technique on a DTDM thermomechanical analyzer (microdilatometer) as described by Kotomin et al. (1999), " Squeeze-recoil analysis of adhesive hydrogels and elastomers" Polym Mater. Sci. Eng. 81 A25-426 and Kotomin et al. (2000), "Durability and fracture of some viscoelastic adhesives" Proceed. 23 γ d Adhesion Soc. Annual Meeting, Myrtle Beach, S.C., pp. 413-415. The polymer sample was placed between two flat silica surfaces formed by loading rod and supporting plate and subjected to the action of a fixed compressive load, followed by removing the compressive load to allow the sample relaxation. Table 2 reports the properties of PVP adhesive blends with PEG-400. Examples 1- 4 and Figures 2 and 3 demonstrate the effect of PVP-PEG blend composition on adhesive properties. The relationship of adhesion to the phase behavior of PVP-PEG blends is also shown, described in terms of the negative T g deviation from the weight-average magnitudes (-ΔT g ), found with the Fox equation (1), and the ΔC p T g value. In the PVP- PEG blends, the adhesion appears in a narrow range of concentration. The maximum adhesion corresponds to the maximum -ΔT g values and to the minimum ΔC p T g value. While not wishing to be bound by theory, the implication of the former finding would appear to be that the adhesion is provided by the formation of a stoichiometric hydrogen- bonded network PVP-PEG complex. This conclusion can be established by a comparison of the compositional profile of adhesion with the data on PVP-PEG hydrogen bonding presented in Feldstein et al. (2001), "Relation of glass transition temperature to the hydrogen bonding degree and energy in poly(N- vinyl pyrrolidone) blends with hydroxyl - containing plasticizers: 2. Effects of poly (ethylene - glycol) chain length," Polymer 42:981-990. The latter observation implies that the adhesion is controlled by a specific counterbalance of enhanced free volume against the strong favorable interaction between blended components: high molecular weight PVP and short-chain PEG macromolecules, bearing reactive groups at both chain ends (Feldstein et al. (1999), "Contribution of molecular mobility to debonding of pressure-sensitive adhesive hydrogels," Polym Mater. Sci. Eng 81:467-468). Examples 1, 5 - 9 and Figure 4 reveal the impact of relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding atmosphere on the adhesive behavior of PVP-PEG blends. PVP is a hygroscopic polymer that absorbs more than 25 % water upon exposure to a high RH (Figure 9). With PVP-overloaded blends, having higher glass transition temperatures, where debonding proceeds through an adhesive mechanism, the blend hydration increased the force required to rupture adhesive bond. In contrast, with PEG-overloaded, plasticized blends, the effect of additional plasticizer reduces the adhesion. As a result of enhanced fluidity and decreased cohesive strength of the hydrophilic composite, an adhesive remainder occurs at the substrate interface upon adhesive joint failure (Table 1). Examples 1, 10 and 11 exhibit the effects of the chain length of the hydrophilic polymer (PVP) on adhesive joint strength. In general, peel strength of an adhesive joint tended to decrease with the reduction of molecular weight. Examples 12-16 demonstrate the impact of adhesive layer thickness upon adhesive joint strength. In accordance with Equation 2, the peel force required to rupture an adhesive joints was found to increase with the increase in thickness of the adhesive layer. EXAMPLES 17 -47 Preparation of PSA matrices by blending PVP with different short-chain plasticizers. Effects of composition, and the relation of adhesion to phase state Using the preparation procedure and evaluation tests described in Example 1, the samples of PVP K-90 blends with various plasticizers were obtained and tested at 50 % RH and ambient temperature. The results are set forth in the Table 3. The tacky blends can be obtained by mixing PVP with hydroxyl-terminated (Examples 17-41) or carboxyl terminated (Examples 42-47) short-chain plasticizers. Short-chain plasticizers include: ethylene glycol (Examples 17-19) and its polymers (PEG), ranging in molecular weight from 200 to 600 g/mol (Examples 20-23); low molecular weight 1,3- and 1,2-propylene glycol (PG) (Examples 24, 25); and alkane diols from propane diol up to pentane diols (PD) and hexane diol (HD) inclusive (Examples 27-39). Polypropylene glycol (PPG) has been found to be a good plasticizer for PVP, but does not develop any adhesion or tack (Example 26). The glass transition temperatures of plasticizers examined were within the range of -59 ° C to -116° C. To induce adhesion, the plasticizer has to be either amorphous or crystalline, but the melting temperature of appropriate plasticizers, T m , is normally lower than 50° C, the value found for 1,6-hexane diol (HD) (Examples 33 - 37). The adhesive strength correlates with maximum -ΔT g and minimum ΔC p T g values. The highest peel strength was found for PVP blends with glycerol (Example 41), which possesses a high density of hydroxyl groups per molecule. Strictly speaking, the carbonic diacids of Table 3 and Examples 44- 47 are not acting as plasticizers but rather as noncovalent crosslinking agents and cohesive interaction enhancers. For proper adhesion, carbonic diacids can be employed in combination with plasticizers so as to reduce T g to the values inherent in PSAs. Such approach has been used in a Plastoid adhesive blend (US Pat. 5,730,999 and 5,993,849, EP 848960 A3), where EUDRAGIT E-100 was crosslinked by succinic acid and plasticized with tributylcitrate. Dry blends of PVP with 50 % of carbonic diacids have been found to exhibit high T g values (28, -34, - 43, and 24° C for SA, MA, GA, and AA, respectively) and, therefore, develop no adhesion. However, once the blends are hydrated, their glass transition temperatures decrease to about -55 ° C to -65 ° C, and adhesion appears (see Examples 44 - 47). The PEG-600, terminated by carboxyl groups (Examples 42, 43), serves as both a crosslinking agent and a plasticizer, imparting adhesion to PVP blends. EXAMPLES 48 - 64 PSA compositions prepared by mixing different hydrophilic polymers with complementary short-chain plasticizers These examples demonstrate that not only PVP but a range of different hydrophilic polymers become tacky upon mixture with short-chain plasticizers bearing complementary reactive groups at the chain ends. Suitable hydrophilic polymers include poly(N-vinyl amides) such as PVP (Examples 1-47), poly(N- vinyl caprolactam) (PVCap) (Examples 48- 52) and poly(N- vinyl acetamide) (PVAA, Example 53), poly(N-alkyl acrylamides), exemplified by poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM, Example 54), polymethacrylic and polyacrylic acid (PMA, PAA, Examples 55-60), and the copolymers thereof exemplified in the Table 4 (Luviscols VAP ® , commercially available from BASF; Examples 61-64). Luviscol VAP 37 is a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone (VP, 30 %) with 70 % vinylacetate (VA). Luviscol VAP 73 contains 70 % of VP and 30 % of VA. Among the polymers in Table 4, the best performance properties were found for PEG-400 blends with PVCap. The data presented in Figures 9-11 compare the hygroscopicity and adhesion of PVPCap-PEG-400 and PVP-PEG-400 blends. As follows from the data in Figure 10, the PVPCap takes up nearly four times less water than PVP under comparable conditions. According to the Zaikov-Iordanskii-Markin classification of polymer hydrophilicity, PVP is hygroscopic, whereas PVCap is a moderately hydrophilic polymer. Compared to a PVP blend with 36 wt. % of PEG-400, the PVCap plasticized with the same amount of PEG-400 exhibited much higher adhesion. The left branches of the curves in Figure 11 correspond to adhesive debonding, while the right branches correspond to miscellaneous and cohesive types of adhesive bond failure. As follows from Examples 1, 10, and 11, increase in polymer molecular weight results in an increase in cohesive toughness and adhesion. The sorption and adhesive properties of PVCap-PEG hydrogels are thus ideal for pharmaceutical applications. It should also be noted that PVCap exhibits a Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) about 35° C (see Kirsh Y.E., Water soluble poly(N-vinylamides) , Wiley, N.Y., 1998). Below this temperature the PVCap is easily soluble in water and behaves like moderately hydrophilic polymer, while above LCST the PVCap becomes insoluble in water hydrophobic polymer. This property is highly useful for the development of thermoresponsive or so-called "smart" adhesive hydrogels. ') The ΔC p value has been found to be decreased due to a high degree of blend crystallinity. ) The blend is inhomogeneous. Two glass transitions are observed. The data relate to the lower glass transition temperature. ') The data refer to dry blends and those containing 25 % of water, respectively. Table 4. Adhesive properties of PEG-400 miscible blends with various hydrophilic polymers. *PMAA exhibits no glass transition; therefore, the negative deviation from weight-average magnitudes cannot be evaluated. ** Adhesion is very strong, but cannot be measured because the blend provides an inseparable adhesive joint with siliconized release liner. In addition to pressure-sensitive adhesion, the adhesive hydrogels of the invention display a number of useful viscoelastic properties, similar to the properties of cured rubbers (Figures 6-8). In fact, adhesive hydrogels are hydrophilic and water-soluble rubbers, featuring rubber-like elasticity as one of their major performance properties. Both the rubber-like elastic and viscous contributions to the rheology of the present adhesive hydrogels are illustrated by the data in Figure 6. Under a fixed compressive force, hydrogel squeezing occurs, and the instantaneous compressibility (Hooke's elasticity ) of the PVP-PEG adhesive hydrogel is proportional to the applied compressive load (Figure 6). Hooke's compression is followed by a squeezing flow (creep), which reflects the viscous flow contribution to hydrogel rheology. As compression is developing, the stress within the adhesive polymer decreases gradually, achieving a critical value of yield stress at which the hydrogel ceases to flow and the squeezing flow is stopped. Occurrence of yield stress is a characteristic feature of crosslinked or highly ordered supramolecular structures, typical of polymer networks or liquid-crystalline polymers. Commodity polymers exhibit no yield stress. The yield stress in the PVP-PEG adhesive hydrogel is associated with a critical magnitude of shear stress in the flow curve shown in Figure 7, at which the apparent shear viscosity climbs to infinity and the deformation rate drops tending to zero. The yield stress is an integral measure of cohesive strength, which has been shown to relate to the σ f value in equation (2) and which determines the adhesive properties of an adhesive polymer (Feldstein et al. (2000), "Molecular insight into rheological and diffusion determinants of pressure- sensitive adhesion," Proceed. 23 rc * Annual Meeting Adhesion Soc, pp. 54-56). Upon removal of compressive load, the relaxation of polymer deformation occurs, termed the "retardation," when deformation changes its sign and the polymer returns, more or less, to its initial shape. Again, the adhesive hydrogel demonstrated (Figure 6) the instantaneous (Hooke's) retardation, followed by a creep recoil. The Hooke's elastic retardation value is proportional to compressive force (Figure 6), and the slope of this linear relationship outlines the elastic relaxation shear modulus of adhesive hydrogel G = 2' 10 5 Pa. This value found for the PVP-PEG adhesive hydrogel is well known to be also inherent in various PSA polymers and slightly crosslinked rubbers. Upon the removal of compressive bonding force, the adhesive hydrogel is allowed to relax and creep recovery occurs, accompanied by a gradual growth in creep compliance, Figure 8. Kinetics of PVP-PEG hydrogel creep recovery, described by creep-recoil function S(t), follow the phenomenological Dickie-Ferry equation (4), based on the model developed to describe the relaxation of slightly crosslinked rubbers: where S(t) is recoil compliance and S e is the equilibrium tensile compliance, t = time, τ is a characteristic (retardation) time, n denotes a Chasset-Thirion exponent. Computer simulation of the recoil function kinetic profiles in Figure 8 provide the evaluation of PVP-PEG hydrogel equilibrium creep recoil compliance S e =1.56 "10 "5 Pa "1 , retardation time τ = 1.8-10 3 s and the Chasset-Thirion exponent n = 0.99. The obtained S e magnitude corresponds to an average molecular weight of polymer chain between entanglements Mc « 130,000 g/mol, which is typical of slightly cross-linked rubbers, whereas the n value is a characteristic of highly dense network. Thus, the obtained S e and τ values refer most likely to the contribution of network formed by the entanglements of PVP chains, while the n exponent relates to the contribution of the much more dense and faster relaxing H-bonded network. The superposition of the recoil compliance profiles for PVP-PEG hydrogel and PB rubber (Figure 8) provides evidence that the hydrogel retardation properties are typical of elastomers. Accordingly, the adhesive hydrogels described represent, in essence, water-soluble rubbers. EXAMPLES 65 - 82 Therapeutic systems based on hydrophilic PSA matrices Preparation: Therapeutic agents (drugs) were first dissolved in a mixture of PEG- 400 (plasticizer) and ethyl alcohol (solvent). Upon complete drug dissolution, the PVP or another hydrophilic polymer was dissolved in the earlier prepared mixture, forming casting solution that was cast onto polyethylene terephthalate backing film of 0.02 mm in thickness and dried at temperatures of 20-60° C. In vitro drug delivery rate determination from water-soluble PSA matrices was performed using human cadaver skin or a skin-imitating Carbosil membrane to protect the matrices from dissolving in the receptor solution. The patch was adhered to the center of a Carbosil membrane sheet of twice its area. The membrane margins were then wrapped around the sample. The back side of the packet was closely attached to a steel plate-holder to prevent direct contact of the matrix with the receptor solution. In a similar fashion, cadaver skin epidermis can be used instead of a Carbosil membrane. The holder with the wrapped sample was then submerged into an aqueous sink and in vitro drug delivery rate was determined using a USP rotating cylinder method paddle-over-disc. The rate of drug appearance rate in a receptor solution (0.15 M NaCl ) at 35.0+0.5 °C was determined spectrophotometrically. Drug permeability coefficients through skin epidermis (P s ) and a Carbosil membrane (P m )were measured as the fluxes of drug delivered from the hydrophilic PSA matrix normalized by the drug concentration in the donor vehicle, taking the matrix density (1.10 + 0.12 g/cm 3 ) into account. Results The compositions and properties of prepared therapeutic systems are presented in the Table 5. Table 5. Properties of drug-loaded hydrophilic matrices. As follows from the data in Table 5, the hydrophilic PSA matrices based on both the PVP and PVCap blends with PEG-400 (36 wt. % of the plasticizer in the blends) provide high delivery rates through both the skin-imitating Carbosil membrane and human skin epidermis. As comparative data in the Table 6 indicate, the hydrophilic PSA matrices allow us to enhance appreciably the rates of drug delivery compared to known hydrophobic PSAs such as PIB, PDMS and styrene-butadiene rubbers. In turn, the rates of drug delivery from the PVCap-PEG matrices are enhanced compared to the PVP-PEG matrix (compare examples 66 and 67, 71 and 72, 80 and 81). Table 6. Comparative study of in vitro drug delivery rates (μg/cm 2 h) from the hydrophilic PVP-PEG matrix and conventional hydrophobic matrices Drug targeting is necessary not only in systemic transdermal delivery, but also in topical delivery. Thus, the stratum corneum and epidermis are the targets for antifungal drugs and germicides. Ointments have often proven inconvenient to use and require multiple repeated daily application. Patches have now been developed that are more convenient to use and administered twice weekly, thereby improving patient acceptability. The application of a topical dermal patch (TDP) to human skin allows localization of drug concentration in damaged skin and does not involve the entire body. Furthermore, the continuous drug contact with the damaged tissue permits one to accelerate the recovery of diseased or wounded skin. For this purpose, a patch should be a non-occlusive. Hydrophilic PSA matrix, covered by a moisture permeable textile material as a backing, meets best this requirement. Example 82 refers to an antifungal topical dermal patch based on the PVP-PEG PSA matrix. The patch is composed of a nonocclusive cotton textile backing on one side of the drug-loaded PVP-PEG adhesive matrix and a protective layer on the other side, which is removed before patch application to the skin. The patch is designed for topical targeted treatment of mycosis and contains 3 % of chinosol (8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate) as an antifungal agent. The salt form of the drug serves to reduce its percutaneous absorption into systemic circulation. As the result, in vivo chinosol release rate from the Chinosive TDP in human volunteers averages only 0.42 μg/cm 2 h as has been evaluated from the drug remainder in the patch removed from the skin. As clinical studies with volunteers have shown, the topical antifungal monotherapy with the chinosol-containing patch results in essential acceleration of the treatment compared to the control group treated by the clotrimazol. Thus, the hydrophilic PSA matrices outlined by this invention provide the performance properties useful in application dosage forms designed for transdermal and dermal drug delivery.

Claims: CLAΓMS 1. A method of preparing an adhesive composition having an optimized degree of adhesion, comprising: (a) preparing a plurality of compositions each comprised of a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature Tgp 0 l admixed with a plasticizer miscible therewith and having a glass transition temperature Tg pi and capable of covalently or noncovalently crosslinking the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the weight fraction of the hydrophilic polymer in each composition is Wp Q l , and the weight fraction of the plasticizer in each composition is vt ; (b) calculating predicted glass temperatures Tgp re dicted f° r eacn composition using the Fox equation (1) w pot w (1) + - pi T g predicted T g po! T g pl and plotting Tg predicted versus vi for each composition; (c) determining the glass transition temperature Tg actual f° r eacn composition, and plotting Tg actual versus w for each composition; (d) identifying the region of the plots of (b) and (c) wherein Tg actual is l ess than Tgpredicted? such that there is a negative deviation from Tg pre dicted ? ' (e) within the region identified in (d), identifying the optimum weight fraction of plasticizer w p ι optimum at which the negative deviation from Tg predicted is at a maximum; and (f) admixing a monomeric precursor to the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer under polymerizing conditions to provide an adhesive composition having an optimized degree of adhesion, wherein the weight fraction of plasticizer in the composition is w optimum? and the weight fraction of the hydrophilic polymer in the composition is 1-w optimum- 2. A method of preparing an adhesive composition having an optimized degree of adhesion, comprising: (a) preparing a plurality of compositions each comprised of a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature Tgp 0 l admixed with a plasticizer miscible therewith and having a glass transition temperature Tg pi and capable of covalently or noncovalently crosslinking the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the weight fraction of the hydrophilic polymer in each composition is Wp Q l , and the weight fraction of the plasticizer in each composition is VJ , such that Wp 0 ι is equal to 1 -Wpi ; (b) calculating predicted glass temperatures Tg predicted f° r ea ch composition using the Fox equation (1) w pot W (1) + • pi T g predicted T g pol T g p , and plotting Tg predicted versus vt for each composition; (c) determining the glass transition temperature Tg actual f° r ea ch composition, and plotting Tg actual versus Wpi for each composition; (d) identifying the region of the plots of (b) and (c) wherein Tg actual has a predetermined deviation from Tg predicted? an< ^ (e) admixing a monomeric precursor to the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer under polymerizing conditions to provide an adhesive composition having a desired degree of adhesion, wherein the weight percent of plasticizer in the composition corresponds to a value within the region identified in section (d). 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plasticizer is capable of covalently crosslinking the hydrophilic polymer. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plasticizer is capable of noncovalently crosslinking the hydrophilic polymer. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plasticizer is capable of crosslinking the hydrophilic polymer by hydrogen bonding thereto. 6. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the difference between Tgp 0 l and Tgpi is at least about 50°C, such that Tg actual f° r ea ch composition is determined solely bj Tgpi. I. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(N-vinyl lactams), poly(N-vinyl amides), poly(N- alkylacrylamides), polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylamine, and copolymers and blends thereof. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(N- vinyl lactams), poly(N- vinyl amides) , poly(N- alkylacrylamides), and copolymers and blends thereof. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is a poly (N-vinyl lactam). 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is a poly(N- vinyl lactam) homopolymer. I I. The method of claim 10, wherein the poly(N- vinyl lactam) is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl caprolactam, and blends thereof. 12. The method of claiml 1, wherein the poly(N- vinyl lactam) is polyvinyl pyrrolidone. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the poly(N- vinyl lactam) is polyvinyl caprolactam. 14. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the hydrophilic polymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range of approximately 100,000 to 2,000,000. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the hydrophilic polymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range of approximately 500,000 to 1 ,500,000. 16. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein Tg pi is in the range of approximately -100° to -30°C. 17. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the melting temperature of the plasticizer is lower than about 50°C. 18. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plasticizing agent has a molecular weight in the range of about 45 to 800. 19 The method of claim 18, wherein the plasticizing agent has a molecular weight in the range of about 45 to 600. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the plasticizing agent has a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to 600. 21. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of of polyalcohols, monomeric and oligomeric alkylene glycols, polyalkylene glycols, carboxyl-teminated polyalkylene glycols, ammo-terminated polyalkylene glycols, ether alcohols, alkane diols and carbonic diacids. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycols and carboxyl-terminated polyalkylene glycols. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol and carboxyl-terminated polyethylene glycol. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the plasticizing agent is polyethylene glycol. 25. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adhesive composition further includes a photoinitator, and, following step (e), the adhesive composition is crosslinked using radiation. 26. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein step (e) further includes admixing the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizing agent with at least one chemical crosslinking agent that covalently crosslinks the adhesive composition. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one chemical crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the weight ratio of the chemical crosslinking agent to the hydrophilic polymer is below 5 %. 29. The method of claim 1, wherein, following admixture of the monomeric precursor to the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizer under polymerizing conditions, the resulting adhesive composition is crosslinked using heat. 30. The method of any one of claims 25-29, wherein the crosslinking density of the crosslinked adhesive composition provides a swell ratio in the range of approximately 20 to approximately 60. 31. A hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising (a) a hydrophilic polymer having a glass transition temperature gp 0 l, and (b) a complementary hydroxyl-terminated or carboxyl-terminated short-chain plasticizing agent having a glass transition temperature gpi and capable of hydrogen bonding or electrostatic bonding to the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the weight ratio of hydrophilic polymer to complementary short-chain plasticizing agent is selected so to provide a predetermined deviation in (a) the actual glass transition temperature Tg actual of the composition from (b) the predicted glass transition temperature Tg predicted calculated for the composition using the Fox equation. 32. The composition of claim 31 , wherein the predetermined deviation is the maximum negative deviation. 33. The composition of claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the adhesive composition is substantially nonaqueous. 34. The composition of claim 31, wherein the difference between gpol and Tg pi is at least about 50°C, such that Tg actual f° r ea h composition is determined solely by Tg ph 35. The composition of claim 31, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(N- vinyl lactams), poly(N- vinyl amides), poly(N- alkylacrylamides), polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylamine, and copolymers and blends thereof. 36. The composition of claim 35, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly (N-vinyl lactams), poly(N- vinyl amides) , poly(N- alkylacrylamides), and copolymers and blends thereof. 37. The composition of claim 36, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is a poly(N- vinyl lactam). 38. The composition of claim 37, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is a poly(N- vinyl lactam) homopolymer. 39. The composition of claim 38, wherein the poly(N-vinyl lactam) is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl caprolactam, and blends thereof. 40. The composition of claim 39, wherein the poly(N-vinyl lactam) is polyvinyl pyrrolidone. 41. The composition of claim 39, wherein the poly(N- vinyl lactam) is polyvinyl caprolactone. 42. The composition of claim 31 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range of approximately 100,000 to 2,000,000. 43. The composition of claim 42, wherein the hydrophilic polymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range of approximately 500,000 to 1,500,000. 44. The composition of claim 31 , wherein Tgpi is in the range of approximately - 100° to -30°C. 45. The composition of claim 31 , wherein the melting temperature of the plasticizer is lower than about 50°C. 46. The composition of claim 31, wherein the plasticizing agent has a molecular weight in the range of about 45 to 800. 47. The composition of claim 46, wherein the plasticizing agent has a molecular weight in the range of about 45 to 600. 48. The composition of claim 47, wherein the plasticizing agent has a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to 600. 49. The composition of claim 31, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of of polyalcohols, monomeric and oligomeric alkylene glycols, polyalkylene glycols, carboxyl-teminated polyalkylene glycols, amino-terminated polyalkylene glycols, ether alcohols, alkane diols and carbonic diacids. 50. The composition of claim 49, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycols and carboxyl-terminated polyalkylene glycols. 51. The composition of claim 50, wherein the plasticizing agent is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol and carboxyl-terminated polyethylene glycol. 52. The composition of claim 51, wherein the plasticizing agent is polyethylene glycol. 53. The composition of claim 31, wherein the composition is covalently crosslinked. 54. The composition of claim 53, wherein the crosslinking density of the crosslinked adhesive composition provides a swell ratio in the range of approximately 20 to approximately 60. 55. A substantially nonaqueous hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising (a) a hydrophilic polymer and (b) a complementary hydroxyl- terminated or carboxyl-terminated short-chain plasticizing agent capable of hydrogen bonding or electrostatic bonding to the hydrophilic polymer, wherein the hydrophilic polymer and the plasticizing agent are crosslinked to a predetermined extent, and further wherein the extent of crosslinking and the ratio of the hydrophilic polymer to the plasticizing agent are selected to optimize the hydrophilicity, adhesive strength and cohesive strength of the composition. 56. A therapeutic system for the topical or transdermal administration of a pharmacologically active agent, comprising: (A) a drug reservoir comprised of the adhesive composition of any one of claims 31-50; and (B) a backing layer laminated to the drug reservoir that serves as the outer surface of the device during use. 57. The system of claim 56, wherein the backing layer is non-occlusive. 58. The system of claim 59, wherein the backing layer is occlusive.

Inventors: CHALYKH ANATOLY E, CLEARY GARY W, FELDSTEIN MIKHAIL M, PLATE NICOLAI A, CHALYKH, ANATOLY E., CLEARY, GARY, W., FELDSTEIN, MIKHAIL M., PLATE, NICOLAI A.
Applicants: A V TOPCHIEV INST OF PETROCHEM, CHALYKH ANATOLY E, CLEARY GARY W, FELDSTEIN MIKHAIL M, PLATE NICOLAI A, A.V. TOPCHIEV INSTITUTE OF PETROCHEMICAL SYNTHESIS, CHALYKH, ANATOLY E., CLEARY, GARY, W., FELDSTEIN, MIKHAIL M., PLATE, NICOLAI A.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: C09J
IPC codes: A61K9, A61K47, A61L15, C08F2, C09J133, C09J139, C09J157, C09J171, C09J201