The present invention provides a compound represented by formula (I) wherein symbols in the formula are as defined in the specification.

##STR00001##

Copoly(imide oxetane) materials are disclosed that can exhibit a low surface energy while possessing the mechanical, thermal, chemical and optical properties associated with polyimides. The copoly(imide oxetane)s are prepared using a minor amount of fluorinated oxetane-derived oligomer with sufficient fluorine-containing segments of the copoly(imide oxetane)s migrate to the exterior surface of the polymeric material to yield low surface energies. Thus the coatings and articles of manufacture made with the copoly(imide oxetane)s of this invention are characterized as having an anisotropic fluorine composition. The low surface energies can be achieved with very low content of fluorinated oxetane-derived oligomer. The copolymers of this invention can enhance the viability of polyimides for many applications and may be acceptable where homopolyimide materials have been unacceptable.

The present disclosure is directed to fatty-acid glycerol ester derivative compounds containing a targeting bisphosphonate group. The disclosure further include pharmaceutical or biomedical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds and compositions forming microbubbles. The microbubbles have affinity for metal-containing, especially calcium-containing, bodies and/or biological targets. In certain embodiments, these compositions are useful for providing targeted placement of microbubbles capable of cavitation on application of high frequency energy

The present disclosure is directed to fatty-acid glycerol ester derivative compounds containing a targeting bisphosphonate group. The disclosure further include pharmaceutical or biomedical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds and compositions forming microbubbles. The microbubbles have affinity for metal-containing, especially calcium-containing, bodies and/or biological targets. In certain embodiments, these compositions are useful for providing targeted placement of microbubbles capable of cavitation on application of high frequency energy.

Copoly(imide oxetane) materials are disclosed that can exhibit a low surface energy while possessing the mechanical, thermal, chemical and optical properties associated with polyimides. The copoly(imide oxetane)s are prepared using a minor amount of fluorinated oxetane-derived oligomer with sufficient fluorine-containing segments of the copoly(imide oxetane)s migrate to the exterior surface of the polymeric material to yield low surface energies. Thus the coatings and articles of manufacture made with the copoly(imide oxetane)s of this invention are characterized as having an anisotropic fluorine composition. The low surface energies can be achieved with very low content of fluorinated oxetane-derived oligomer. The copolymers of this invention can enhance the viability of polyimides for many applications and may be acceptable where homopolyimide materials have been unacceptable.

Compositions for use as a low-swelling tissue sealant are disclosed. The compositions include first and second precursor molecules, wherein the first precursor molecule is a polyoxyethylene homopolymer having at least two nucleophilic groups or a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer having at least two nucleophilic groups and the second precursor molecule is a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer having at least two electrophilic groups. Biomaterials for use as a low-swelling tissue sealant, methods of making such biomaterials, devices for applying a biomaterial to a tissue of a patient, methods of sealing a tissue of a patient, and kits also are disclosed.

The present disclosure is directed to fatty-acid glycerol ester derivative compounds containing a targeting bisphosphonate group. The disclosure further include pharmaceutical or biomedical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using these compounds and compositions forming microbubbles. The microbubbles have affinity for metal-containing, especially calcium-containing, bodies and/or biological targets. In certain embodiments, these compositions are useful for providing targeted placement of microbubbles capable of cavitation on application of high frequency energy.

Copoly(imide oxetane) materials are disclosed that can exhibit a low surface energy while possessing the mechanical, thermal, chemical and optical properties associated with polyimides. The copoly(imide oxetane)s are prepared using a minor amount of fluorinated oxetane-derived oligomer with sufficient fluorine-containing segments of the copoly(imide oxetane)s migrate to the exterior surface of the polymeric material to yield low surface energies. Thus the coatings and articles of manufacture made with the copoly(imide oxetane)s of this invention are characterized as having an anisotropic fluorine composition. The low surface energies can be achieved with very low content of fluorinated oxetane-derived oligomer. The copolymers of this invention can enhance the viability of polyimides for many applications and may be acceptable where homopolyimide materials have been unacceptable.

The present invention provides a photodegradable cross-linking agent capable of manufacturing a photodegradable gel, which has appropriate moisture content and water solubility as a cell carrier and has strength that makes it possible to construct a complicated three-dimensional microstructure. The photodegradable cross-linking agent of the present invention includes a main chain 2 which is composed of branched polyethylene glycol having three or more branched chains and a photodegradable benzyl group 3 which is disposed on the terminus of the branched chains, in which the benzyl group has an active ester group 4, which is reactive with an amino group or a hydroxyl group, and one or more nitro groups in a benzene ring.

A multi-arm polyethylene glycol derivative having a narrow molecular weight distribution represented by the formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein, L represents a group selected from a linear or branched alkylene, arylene, or cycloalkylene group having two or more carbon atoms and combinations thereof, which may have an ether bond in a chain; X represents a dehydroxylation residue of a linear sugar alcohol having 5 or 7 carbon atoms; m is the number of polyethylene glycol chains bonded to X and represents 4 or 6; n is the average addition molar number of oxyethylene groups and represents an integer of 3 to 600; Y represents a single bond or an alkylene group as further defined herein; and Z represents a chemically reactive functional group.