National Patent Development Corporation

Other

Hydro Med Science Division of National Patent Development Corp.

Hydro Med Sciences, a Division of National Patent Development Corporation

Daniel G Moro

Petr Kuzma

Samuel H Ronel

Harry Quandt

Mark J D'Andrea

Gary A Griffin

Hydrophilic composite polymer articles are provided which comprise at least one hydrophilic polymer in a powder form and one or more liquid components of which at least one is hydrophilic and which can be polymerized with said hydrophilic polymer. This composition is produced from a homogeneously mixed paste which can be molded or cast into a desired shape which will subsequently set. The resulting article has a shape-retaining, non-tacky flexible consistency which allows the shape to be further modified, if necessary. Such object can be then cured by any of the conventional curing methods to retain its shape permanently. The final properties of the composite can be tailored to suit the final application by using fillers or modifiers. In the medical field, such articles can be utilized as a sustained release devices as they can be loaded with the desired therapeutic drugs. These articles can be made non-toxic and biocompatible and used as prosthetic devices. The final cured article can be modified further by polishing, drilling, cutting, etc. When exposed to moisture or a humid environment, the article will become partially hydrated with a resultant softer surface yet retain good mechanical strength.

Hydrophilic composite polymer articles formed from a settable paste

A method of preparing a hydrophilic plastic cartridge by centrifugally cang polymerizable hydrophilic material in a rotating polymerization tube whose longitudinal axis is maintained parallel to the ground. The speed of rotation causes radial outward displacement of the polymerizable material which upon assuming a predetermined shape within the rotating tube is then polymerized to the predetermined solid configuration. The resulting plastic cartridge is characterized by smooth, unscored internal and external cylindrical surfaces. The cartridges are used as a rate-limiting membrane in drug delivery devices. Sterilized kits containing a disposable needle/syringe or trocar-like instrument and the drug delivery device are used for subcutaneous implantation of the device in an animal body.

Manufacture of water-swellable hydrophilic articles and drug delivery

A method is provided for the preparation of homogeneous copolymers having a redetermined equilibrium water content (EWC) value formed by the addition polymerization of a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomer A and ethylenically unsaturated monomer B, for example, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydroxypropyl methacrylate. The method requires determining the EWC values of the hydrogel homopolymer of hydrophilic monomer A (homopolymer A) and the hydrogel homopolymer of hydrophilic monomer B (homopolymer B); determining the relationship of the EWC values of the homogeneous copolymers AB versus the chemical composition of said copolymers AB; selecting the targeted EWC value and determining the chemical composition of copolymer AB having the targeted EWC value; forming a polymerizable mixture of monomer A and monomer B in amounts sufficient to yield copolymer AB having the targeted EWC value; and effect the polymerization reaction to yield copolymer AB characterized by the targeted EWC value. A method is also provided for the preparation of a delivery device including a drug contained in the reservoir of the hydrogel of copolymer AB, said device being characterized by its capability of eluting or releasing the drug through the hydrogel membrane to a delivery environment at a predetermined rate. There is also disclosed a sterilized kit containing a trocar or hypodermic needle/syringe and the aforesaid drug delivery device having a cylindrical shape with a rounded or bullet-like extremity.

Preparation of homogeneous hydrogel copolymers

A water compatible terpolymer for sealing and coating building materials which protects surfaces from environmental staining agents. The terpolymer is created by polymerizing a HEMA:SMA co-polymer with another monomer which contains either free acid or base groups. The resultant terpolymer is water solution after neutralization. Water is then added to bring the solvent level to 40% maximum and the solids level to 8%.

Environmental coating solution

An acoustically sealed earmold for a hearing aid insertable into the ear of individuals with impaired hearing can be prepared in situ employing the hydrophilic composite polymer materials described herein. Such composite materials include at least one hydrophilic polymer in a powder form and one or more liquid components of which at least one is hydrophilic and which can be polymerized with said hydrophilic polymer. The resulting earmold has a shape-retaining, non-tacky flexible consistency which allows it to be shaped further and also to be modified to accommodate a receiver adapter or external receiver. The earmold can then be cured by any of the conventional curing methods to retain its shape permanently. This method enables an audiologist to fit the earmold and evaluate the hearing aid in a single office visit.

Process of making a hearing aid earmold in situ

There is provided a composition and a process of treating a wound, especially burned tissue surface comprising applying to the wound a settable, non-toxic paste comprising a particulate, hydrophilic, water-swellable polymer and an inert, water-miscible organic liquid having a boiling point above about 120.degree. C. capable of forming a paste therewith, said paste having a setting time of up to an hour and a working time sufficient to apply to the paste to the burned tissue surface, the polymer of said paste in set condition being water-insoluble.

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Randolph, NJ, United States of America

Daniel G Moro