초록 ▼

This invention provides novel methods for the formation of biocompatible membranes around biological materials using photopolymerization of water soluble molecules. The membranes can be used as a covering to encapsulate biological materials or biomedical devices, as a "glue" to cause more than one b

This invention provides novel methods for the formation of biocompatible membranes around biological materials using photopolymerization of water soluble molecules. The membranes can be used as a covering to encapsulate biological materials or biomedical devices, as a "glue" to cause more than one biological substance to adhere together, or as carriers for biologically active species. Several methods for forming these membranes are provided. Each of these methods utilizes a polymerization system containing water-soluble macromers, species which are at once polymers and macromolecules capable of further polymerization. The macromers are polymerized using a photoinitiator (such as a dye), optionally a cocatalyst, optionally an accelerator, and radiation in the form of visible or long wavelength UV light. The reaction occurs either by suspension polymerization or by interfacial polymerization. The polymer membrane can be formed directly on the surface of the biological material, or it can be formed on material which is already encapsulated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An encapsulated biological material comprising a biological material enclosed within an encapsulating membrane, said encapsulated biological material produced by a process comprising the steps of:providing the biological material, wherein the biological material is selected from th

[ We claim:] [1.] An encapsulated biological material comprising a biological material enclosed within an encapsulating membrane, said encapsulated biological material produced by a process comprising the steps of:providing the biological material, wherein the biological material is selected from the group consisting of tissue, cells, subcellular organelles, and subcellular non-organelle components;mixing the biological material in an aqueous macromer solution comprising macromer and photoinitiator to form a mixture, said macromer comprising a water-soluble polymer having at least two sites of unsaturation;forming geometric shapes from said mixture; andpolymerizing the macromer by exposing the geometric shapes to light radiation to form the encapsulating membrane surrounding the biological material.