Patent ID: 8367639

Claim:
A hydrogel comprising a matrix, the matrix comprising a cross-linking structure selected from the group consisting of (A) PEG-LMWH-PEG, (B) PEG-LMWH-HBC-LMWH-PEG, (C) PEG-LMWH-HBC-PEG*-HBC-LMWH-PEG, (D) PEG-LMWH-PEG-HBC, and (E) LMWH-PEG-HBC-PEG*; wherein the hydrogel further comprises a natural or synthetic polymer; wherein the PEG in a PEG-LMWH conjugate or in a LMWH-PEG conjugate is covalently bound to the LMWH, and is covalently bound to the polymer, and is branched or unbranched; wherein the HBC is bound to the LMWH molecule by a covalent bond or a non-covalent bond, or wherein the HBC is covalently bound to the PEG molecule in the PEG-LMWH conjugate, or wherein the HBC is covalently bound to a PEG* molecule, wherein the PEG* molecule is a PEG molecule that is not covalently attached to the LMWH, and wherein the PEG* molecule is branched or unbranched.