A hyperbranched polymer includes a hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core, respective low molecular weight polyethyleneimine chains attached to at least three branches of the hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core, and respective polyethylene glycol chains attached to at least two other branches of the hyperbranched, hydrophobic molecular core. Examples of the hyperbranched polymer may be used to form hyperbranched polyplexes, and may be included in DNA or RNA delivery systems.

Methods of forming, dissolving, and functionalizing an extracellular matrix gel on demand based on cross-linking, modification, and dissolution of hydrogels using transpeptidase (e.g. sortase) are disclosed. Also provided are hydrogels comprising one or more macromers crosslinked to a mixture of peptides, wherein all or a portion of the peptides in the mixture comprise a recognition motif cleavable by a transpeptidase (e.g., sortase).

Covalently linked linear polyethylenimine (PEI) clusters are provided that change conformation depending upon changes in counterion concentrations. The structures may be used for the storage, delivery, and/or transport of substances.

Described are silicone hydrogels with high levels of polyamides exhibiting an excellent balance of physical, mechanical, and biological properties. The silicone hydrogels are formed from a reactive monomer mixture comprising: a hydroxylalkyl (meth)acrylate monomer; hydroxyl-containing silicone components; and a polyamide, wherein the polyamide is present in an amount greater than 15 weight percent, based on the total weight of reactive components in the reactive monomer mixture.

The present invention relates to silicone hydrogels exhibiting desired combinations of physical and mechanical properties, formed from a reactive monomer mixture comprising at least one N-alkyl methacrylamide, and at least one silicone-containing component. These silicone hydrogels may also contain hydrophilic components, crosslinking agents and toughening monomers. These silicone hydrogels are useful in preparing biomedical devices, ophthalmic lenses, and contact lenses.

The present invention relates to polyphosphazenes, polyurethanes based on these polyphosphazenes, methods for their manufacture and hydrogels based on the polyurethanes. The invention further relates to the use of the hydrogels in medical, veterinary and agricultural applications. The terminal ends of the polyphosphazenes bear NCO-reactive hydrogen atoms for reaction with polyisocyanates.

A biomedical device is disclosed which is a polymerization product of a mixture comprising (a) one or more difunctional isocyanates; (b) one or more polyalcohols; (c) one or more hydroxy-terminated polysiloxane prepolymers; and (d) one or more polyoxazoline polyols having a weight average molecular weight of equal to or greater than about 1000 Daltons.

Described herein are wound dressing comprising a silicone hydrogel composition and optionally an antimicrobial agent, and methods of making and use thereof. The silicone hydrogel compositions comprise an actinically-crosslinkable polysiloxane-polyglycerol block copolymer crosslinked with a crosslinker. The actinically-crosslinkable polysiloxane-polyglycerol block copolymer being derived from: a polysiloxane prepolymer comprising a polyglycerol side chain, the polyglycerol side chain comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group covalently linked thereto, wherein the ethylenically unsaturated group is actinically curable.

The invention provides hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel has a supramolecular cross-linked network obtainable or obtained from the complexation of an aqueous composition including a host, such as cucurbituril, and one or more polymers having suitable guest functionality. One or more polymers in the aqueous composition may have a molecular weight of 50 kDa or more, such as 200 kDa or more. The hydrogel may hold a component, such as a therapeutic compound or a biological molecule. The hydrogels are suitable for use in medicine.

Provided is a block copolymer comprising a polymer block (A) formed from repeating units of formula (I):

##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is methyl or ethyl, and a polymer block (B) formed from repeating units of formula (II):

##STR00002## as well as a hydrogel comprising the block copolymer.