DIMENSIONALLY STABLE, SHAPED ARTICLES COMPRISED OF DRIED, AGGREGATED, WATER-SWELLABLE HYDROGEL MICROSPHERES AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
First Claim
1. A dimensionally stable, shaped article comprising dried, water-swellable hydrogel microspheres, aggregated to form a predetermined shape, wherein said article does not contain a binding agent to bind the microspheres together.
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Abstract
Dimensionally stable, shaped articles comprised of dried, aggregated, water-swellable hydrogel microspheres are described. The microspheres are aggregated together without the use of a binding agent. When exposed to an aqueous medium in a container, the dimensionally stable, shaped article swells slowly and disaggregates, forming at least partially swollen hydrogel microspheres, which take the shape of the container. The dimensionally stable, shaped articles disclosed herein have many potential applications, including medical applications such as a medical implant.
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Citations
25 Claims
- 1. A dimensionally stable, shaped article comprising dried, water-swellable hydrogel microspheres, aggregated to form a predetermined shape, wherein said article does not contain a binding agent to bind the microspheres together.
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7. (canceled)
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12. (canceled)
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13. A method of making a dimensionally stable, shaped article comprised of dried, aggregated, water-swellable hydrogel microspheres comprising the steps of:
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a) providing in a mold having a preselected shape, a suspension of water-swellable hydrogel microspheres in an aqueous medium wherein said microspheres are at least partially swollen; and b) evaporatively drying said suspension to remove substantially all of the aqueous medium to form the dimensionally stable, shaped article; wherein; (i) said method is carried out in the absence of a binding agent; and (ii) said dimensionally stable shaped article has the shape of the mold. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. (canceled)
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23. (canceled)
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24. (canceled)
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25. A method for completely or partially blocking or filling a lumen or void within the body of a mammal comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a dimensionally stable, shaped article comprised of dried, water-swellable hydrogel microspheres, aggregated to form a predetermined shape, wherein said article does not contain a binding agent to bind the microspheres together; b) implanting the dimensionally stable, shaped article into a lumen or void within the body; and c) allowing the dimensionally stable, shaped article to swell and disaggregate upon exposure to a physiological aqueous fluid present in or surrounding the lumen or void, thereby forming at least partially swollen hydrogel microspheres, which totally or partially block or fill the lumen or void.
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Specification