Radiopaque hydrogels, in particular radiopaque hydrogel microspheres, comprising a polymer having 1,2-dil or 1,3-diol groups acetalized with radiopaque species.

This invention relates to imageable polymers, particularly those comprising poly vinylalcohol and to methods for making them as well as to embolic microspheres comprising the polymers. The microspheres are imageable during embolization procedures and can be loaded with drugs or other therapeutic agents to provide an imageable drug delivery system.

Echolucent implantable materials may delivered to a selected placement site and biodegrade after a certain period of time. Applications include delivery of therapeutic agents to the placement site.

Echolucent implantable compositions are described. Applications include materials for delivering of therapeutic agents to a tissue at a placement site.

Echolucent implantable compositions are described. Applications include materials for delivering of therapeutic agents to a tissue at a placement site.

This invention concerns imageable, radiopaque embolic beads, which are particularly useful for monitoring embolization procedures. The beads comprise iodine containing compounds which are covalently incorporated into the polymer network of a preformed hydrogel bead. The beads are prepared by activating pre-formed hydrogel beads towards nucleophilic attack and then covalently attaching iodinated compounds into the polymer network. The radiopaque beads may be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and used in methods of embolizing hyperplastic tissue or solid tumors.

Radiopaque polymer compositions and methods for making the compositions are provided. These radiopaque polymer compositions include polymer compositions comprising a crosslinked polymer network, the network comprising a first repeating unit derived from a monofunctional monomer and a second repeating unit derived from a crosslinker monomer or oligomer having more than two polymerizable groups. Devices formed from radiopaque polymer compositions are also provided.

Radiopaque polymer compositions and methods for making the compositions are provided. These radiopaque polymer compositions include polymer compositions comprising a crosslinked polymer network, the network comprising a first repeating unit derived from a monofunctional monomer and a second repeating unit derived from a multifunctional non-iodinated monomer wherein neither of the two monomers is fluorinated. Devices formed from radiopaque polymer compositions are also provided.

Radiopaque polymer compositions and methods for making the compositions are provided. These radiopaque polymer compositions include polymer compositions comprising a crosslinked polymer network, the network comprising a first repeating unit derived from a monofunctional monomer, a second repeating unit derived from a crosslinker monomer having more than two poly-merizable groups and a third repeating unit a derived from a crosslinker monomer having two or more polymerizable groups. Devices formed from radiopaque polymer compositions and methods for synthesizing radiopaque polymer compositions are also provided.

An embolic material contains at least one type of polymer and a liposoluble contrast medium. A method for producing an embolic material includes extruding a raw material that is in a molten state into a solvent, and cooling the raw material so as to solidify the raw material. The raw material contains a polymer and a liposoluble contrast medium.