Method of preparing polymeric adhesive compositions utilizing the mechanism of interaction between the polymer components

Abstract

A method of selecting components for use in water-absorbing pressure-sensitive adhesive compositions is provided. The method involves selecting a film-forming polymer, a ladder-like non-covalent crosslinker that is capable of forming a ladder-like interpolymer complex with the film-forming polymer selected, and selecting a carcass-like non-covalent crosslinker that is capable of forming a carcass-like complex with at least one of the film-forming polymer selected or the ladder-like non-covalent crosslinker selected. The adhesive hydrogels provide high adhesion in a swollen state and bridge the gap between conventional pressure sensitive adhesives and bioadhesives. Methods for preparing and using the resulting compositions are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 359,548, filed Feb. 5, 2003; which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 137,664, filed May 1, 2002; which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) to provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60 / 288,008, filed May 1, 2001.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates to polymer compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to hydrogel and bioadhesive compositions, methods of selecting materials for manufacturing the compositions, and methods of using these compositions in therapeutic applications such as drug delivery systems (e.g., topical, transdermal, transmucosal, iontophoretic), medical skin coverings, wound dressings and wound healing products, and biomedical electrodes, as well as in cosmeceutical applications such as tooth whitening products. BACKGROUND [0003] Various types of bandages and wound dressings ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] The adhesive compositions produced by the methods of the invention provide a number of significant advantages relative to the prior art. In particular, these compositions provide one or more of the following advantages over the art: provide ease of handling; are readily modified during manufacture so that properties such as adhesion, absorption, translucence, and swelling can be controlled and optimized; can be formulated so that tack increases or decreases in the presence of moisture so that the composition is not sticky until moistened; minimize leakage of the active agent, when included, from the composition onto a mucosal surface (e.g., into the user's mouth); can be fabricated in translucent from, enabling the user to view the extent of whitening without removing the hydrogel composition from the teeth or mucosal surface; minimize damage to gums or mucous membranes in the mouth; can be worn comfortably and unobtrusively; are easily removed from the skin, teeth or mucosal surface, and leave no residue; are amenable to extended duration of wear or action; and can provide sustained and controlled release of a variety of active agents.

Problems solved by technology

Commonly used wound dressings include fibrous materials such as gauze and cotton pads, which are advantageous in that they are absorbent but problematic in that fibers may adhere to the wound or newly forming tissue, causing wound injury upon removal.

Other wound dressings have been prepared with foams and sponges, but the absorbance of these materials is often limited.

Furthermore, such wound dressings require the use of adhesive tape, as they are not themselves adhesive.

A general distinctive feature of hydrophilic PSAs is that they typically adhere to wet biological substrates, while conventional hydrophobic (rubber-based) PSAs typically lose their adhesive properties when moistened.

Additionally, under direct contact with water, the adhesive dissolves.

However, these adhesives not contain covalent crosslinks, and are thus not suitable for applications that require swellable yet water-insoluble adhesives.

In particular, these prior art adhesives are less useful when increased adhesion is desired upon much more appreciable hydration levels (e.g., 15% of absorbed water and higher).

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