This technology is available from Temarex Corporation.

AMPHIPHILIC (CHAMELEON) COPOLYMERS AND NETWORKS

Description: An amphiphilic network is a random cocontinuous assemblage of hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains that is able to swell in both water and hydrocarbons. Thus, amphiphilic networks are able to change their conformations (morphologies) depending on the medium of solution they are exposed to. Such conformational mobility/adaptability may be of critical importance for biocompatibility, that is accommodating complex biological systems comprising of water soluble and insoluble constituents.

 

Title: AMPHIPHILIC NETWORKS

Inventor(s):J. Kennedy, B. Ivan, P. Mackey

Disclosure 101 U.S. Patent 4,942,204

New amphiphilic networks have been synthesized by free-radical copolymerization of hydrophobic methacryloyl capped polyisobutylene (MA-PIB-MA) with hydrophilic 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA).Two MA-PIB-MA's have been prepared with Mn = 4920 and Mn = 10,200 and two series of networks were prepared with MA-PIB-MA contents between 48% and 71.5%.Variation of the molecular weight of MA-PIB-MA and its concentration in the network allows for a wide range of mechanical properties and swellability in hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents.

Differential scanning calorimetry shows the existence of two glass transitions in these networks and thus indicates a phase-separated domain structure.Tensile strengths and elongations are dependent on MA-PIB-MA contents, varying from 57.7 kg/cm2 to 39.8 kg/cm2 and 168% to 200%, respectively, with increasing MA-PIB-MA content.Solvent swelling of the networks range from 170% to 20% in water and from 40% to 170% in n-heptane with increasing MA-PIB-MA contents.

The networks are hydrogels which, in the hydrated state, are structurally similar to natural tissue.As a result, these materials find use for various biomedical applications.These networks may be used for controlled drug release devices, implants for enzyme immobilization, artificial arteries, blood-contacting applications, various implantable reservoirs for drugs and metabolites for veterinary and human applications.

 

Title: AMPHIPHILIC NETWORKS

Inventor(s):J. Kennedy, B. Ivan, P. Mackey

Disclosure 101-CIP U.S. Patent 5,073,381

New controlled and/or sustained drug release amphiphilic compositions based on various amphiphilic networks of the present invention are described.New processes for manufacturing amphiphilic networks are also described.These new processes allow for the production of more diverse amphiphilic networks. The controlled and/or sustained drug release properties of the networks of the present invention show release controlled and sustained release profiles for 20 hours or more and Fickian and non-Fickian diffusion rates.

 

Title: AMPHIPHILIC POLYMERS AND METHOD OF MAKING SAID POLYMERS

Inventor(s):J. Kennedy, Y. Hongu

Disclosure 72 U.S. Patent 4,888,389

Amphiphilic polymers having poly A segments of wide molecular weights, viz. about 2,000 to 50,000 and poly B segments of wide molecular weight of a few hundred to 13,000 or more can be made by reacting, without regard to sequence, isocyanate with either a poly A segment or a poly B segment to give an adduct containing free NCO groups and then reacting the adduct with the other segment.

This invention relates to amphiphilic polymers containing urethane groups and having at least one hydrophobic chain segment and at least one hydrophilic chain segment.

Amphiphilic polymers exhibit the property of dissolving or swelling in both aqueous and organic media and are of great interest and use in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, detergent, coating and oil recovery industries.