초록

An absorbent polymer composition, which can be in the form of a foam, that includes a polymeric material, absorbent particles and thermally expandable (or expanded) microspheres.

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What is claimed is: 1. An absorbent polymer composition comprising: a polymeric material; absorbent particles; and thermally cxpandable microspheres, wherein a thermally expandable microsphere comprises a thermoplastic polymeric shell and a core that includes a liquid and/or gas. 2. The polymer

What is claimed is: 1. An absorbent polymer composition comprising: a polymeric material; absorbent particles; and thermally cxpandable microspheres, wherein a thermally expandable microsphere comprises a thermoplastic polymeric shell and a core that includes a liquid and/or gas. 2. The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the absorbent particles are provided in the form of a hydrocolloid. 3. The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the absorbent particles are superabsorbent. 4. The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 5. The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the absorbent particles are dispersed in a hydrophobic oil. 6. The polymer composition of claim 5 wherein the absorbeQt particles are provided in an inverse emulsion of crosslinked hydrophilic polymer microparticles dispersed in a hydrophobic oil. 7. The polymer composition of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material comprises a mixture of different polymers. 8. The polymer composition of claim 1 further comprising a bioactive agent. 9. The polymer composition of claim 1 in the form of an extruded article. 10. An absorbent polymer foam composition comprising: a polymeric material; absorbent particles; and thermally expanded microspheres prepared from thermally expandable microspheres, wherein a thermally expandable microsphere comprises a thermoplastic polymeric shell and a core that includes a liquid and/or gas. 11. The polymer foam composition of claim 10 which has a density of less than 0.8 gram per cubic centimeter. 12. The polymer foam composition of claim 10 wherein the absorbent particlcs are provided in the form of a hydrocolloid. 13. The polymer foam composition of claim 10 wherein the absorbent particles are superabsorbant. 14. The polymer foam composition of claim 10 wherein the polymeric material comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 15. The polymer foam composition of claim 10 wherein the absorbent particles are provided in an inverse emulsion of crosslinked hydrophilic polymer microparticles dispersed in a hydrophobic oil. 16. The polymer foam composition of claim 10 wherein the polymeric material comprises a mixture of different polymers. 17. The polymer foam composition of claim 10 further comprising a bioactive agent. 18. An absorbent polymer foam composition comprising: a polymeric material; a hydrocolloid comprising superabsorbent particles; and thermally expanded microspheres prepared from thermally expandable microspheres, wherein a thermally expandable microsphere comprises a thermoplastic polymeric shell and a core that includes a liquid and/or gas; wherein the polymer foam has a density of less than 0.8 gram per cubic centimeter. 19. An absorbent polymer foam composition preparable by a method comprising: combining a polymeric material, absorbent particles, and thermally expandable microspheres at a temperature below the expansion temperature of the microspheres to form a mixture, wherein a thermally expandable microsphere comprises a thermoplastic polymeric shell and a core that includes a liquid and/or gas; and increasing the temperature of the mixture above the expansion temperature of the thermally expandable microspheres to form an absorbent polymer foam. 20. The absorbent polymer foam composition of claim 19 wherein the polymeric material comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 21. The absorbent polymer foam composition of claim 19 wherein the absorbent particles are provided in an inverse emulsion of crosslinked hydrophilic polymer microparticles dispersed in a hydrophobic oil. 22. The absorbent polymer foam composition of claim 19 wherein the polymeric material comprises a mixture of different polymers. 23. The absorbent polymer foam composition of claim 19 further comprising a bioactive agent. 24. A method of making an absorbent polymer foam composition, wherein the method comprises: combining a polymeric material, absorbent particles; and thermally expandable microspheres to form a mixture in an extruder at a temperature below the expansion temperature of the microspheres, wherein a thermally expandable microsphere comprises a thermoplastic polymeric shell and a core that includes a liquid and/or gas; and increasing the temperature of the mixture above the expansion temperature of the thermally expandable microspheres during extrusion. 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the resultant foamed composition has a density of less than 0.8 gram per cubic centimeter. 26. A medical article comprising the composition of claim 1. 27. The medical article of claim 26 which is a wound dressing or a wound packing material. 28. A medical article comprising the composition of claim 10. 29. The medical articic of claim 28 which is a wound dressing or a wound packing material. 30. A medical article comprising the composition of claim 18. 31. The medical article of claim 30 which is a wound dressing or a wound packing material. 32. A method of using a polymer composition comprising applying the polymer composition of claim 1 to a wound. 33. A method of using a polymer composition comprising applying the polymer composition of claim 10 to a wound. 34. A method of using a polymer composition comprising applying the polymer composition of claim 18 to a wound.