Gels with a shape memory

• US 6,538,089 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Forskarpatent i Syd AB (Government of Sweden)
• Original Assignee: Forskarpatent i Syd AB (Government of Sweden)
• Inventors: Mattiasson, Bo, Samra, Babinder, Galaev, Igor
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, HELEN LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/890,639
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 526/262, 526/264, 526/307.3, 526/307.4, 526/307.5, 526/307.7, 526/307.8, 526/320, 526/329.2, 526/347
• US Class Current: 526/307.4
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 220/56 Acrylamide; Methacrylamide

Abstract

A physically cross-linked copolymer comprising hydrophobic monomers, hydrogen bonding monomers, and thermosensitive monomers, said thermosensitive monomers having a distinct phase change at its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) when existing as a homopolymer. The physically cross-linked copolymer is used for drug delivery system or for enzyme delivery system. The physically cross-linked copolymer is also used for casting shapes of cavities, for production of miniaturized, detailed micro-parts or micro-machine parts, or for production of thermal switches.

Claims

1. A physically cross-linked copolymer formed from monomers comprising:

a) N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAM);

b) a hydrogen bonding monomer comprising N-acryloyl hydroxysuccinimide (NASI); and

c) styrene

in a relative molar ratio of about;

2. A drug delivery system comprising a physically cross-linked copolymer of claim 1.

3. An enzyme delivery system comprising the physically cross-linked copolymer of claim 1.

4. A medicament for oral, rectal or ophthalmic administration comprising a physically cross-linked copolymer of claim 1.

5. A cast shape comprising a physically cross-linked copolymer of claim 1.

6. A cast shape according to claim 5 in the form of a cavity.

7. A cast shape according to claim 5 for the production of miniaturized, detailed micro-parts or micro-machine parts.

8. A cast shape according to claim 5 in the form of thermal switches.

10. A drug delivery system comprising a physically cross-linked copolymer of claim 1.

11. An enzyme delivery system comprising the physically cross-linked copolymer of claim 1.

12. A medicament for oral, rectal or ophthalmic administration comprising a physically cross-linked copolymer of claim 1.

13. A cast shape comprising a physically cross-linked copolymer of claim 1.

14. A cast shape according to claim 5 in the form of a cavity.

15. A cast shape according to claim 5 for the production of miniaturized, detailed micro-parts or micro-machine parts.

16. A cast shape according to claim 5 in the form of thermal switches.

9. A physically cross-linked copolymer formed from monomers comprising:

a) N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAM);

b) a hydrogen bonding monomer comprising 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA); and

c) styrene

in a relative molar ratio of about;