A method of manufacturing a flexible intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite controlling for an effective pore size using removable pore-forming substances and physically incorporated, non-leaching antimicrobials. A flexible intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite controlled for an effective pore size composited physically incorporated, high-surface area, non-leaching antimicrobials, optionally in which the physically incorporated non-leaching antimicrobial exposes nanopillars on its surface to enhance antimicrobial activity. A kit that enhances the effectiveness of the intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite by storing the composite within an antimicrobial container.

A method for producing a coagulate includes: incorporating, into an aqueous urethane resin composition containing an aqueous urethane resin having an acid value of 0.01 mg KOH/g or more, a thickening agent having an oxyethylene group content of 2×10.sup.−2 mol/g or less in an amount in the range of from 0.01 to 30 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the aqueous urethane resin, to thicken the composition; and then coagulating the thickened composition using a coagulant containing a metal salt). A porous structure can be formed from an aqueous urethane resin composition without subjecting the composition to heating or foaming step, and therefore a coagulate having a porous structure can be stably obtained with ease.

A method for producing a coagulate includes: incorporating, into an aqueous urethane resin composition containing an aqueous urethane resin having an acid value of 0.01 mg KOH/g or more, a thickening agent having an oxyethylene group content of 2×10.sup.−2 mol/g or less in an amount in the range of from 0.01 to 30 parts by mass, relative to 100 parts by mass of the aqueous urethane resin, to thicken the composition; and then coagulating the thickened composition using a coagulant containing a metal salt). A porous structure can be formed from an aqueous urethane resin composition without subjecting the composition to heating or foaming step, and therefore a coagulate having a porous structure can be stably obtained with ease.

Loadable porous structures are disclosed, which are structures with pre-formed pores. The loadable porous structures can be loaded with pharmaceutical substances and optional excipients. The loaded porous structures can then be used as implants, for implantation into a patient for release of pharmaceutical substances over long periods of time. Methods of making and using such structures and implants are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a porous membrane having high water permeability and hydrophilicity, which is not easily affected by a treatment such as washing, the method including: preparing, as a substrate, a membrane having a plurality of pores, which includes a water-insoluble resin such as polysulfone and a water-soluble resin including a monomer unit of polyvinylpyrrolidone or a monomer unit of polyvinyl alcohol; and irradiating the substrate with an electron beam in the presence of an aqueous solvent to crosslink at least a part of the water-soluble resin.

A porous polyimide film has an acid value within a range of 7 mgKOH/g to 20 mgKOH/g determined by acid-base titration, contains a metal group including alkali metals excluding Li, an alkaline earth metals, and silicon at a total content of 100 ppm or less relative to the porous polyimide film, and has a moisture absorption ratio of 0.5% or less.

A porous polyimide film has an acid value within a range of 7 mgKOH/g to 20 mgKOH/g determined by acid-base titration, contains a metal group including alkali metals excluding Li, an alkaline earth metals, and silicon at a total content of 100 ppm or less relative to the porous polyimide film, and has a moisture absorption ratio of 0.5% or less.

There are provided methods of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material. In one embodiment the method comprises: (a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. Also provided are components comprising a polymeric material and a bioactive material.

There are provided methods of producing a component incorporating a bioactive material. In one embodiment the method comprises: (a) using a screw extruder to mix a polymeric material (I) with a bioactive material (II) and melt the polymeric material (I); and (b) making a component by moulding; and wherein the polymeric material (I) is of a type which includes: (i) phenyl moieties; (ii) ketone moieties; and (iii) ether moieties. Also provided are components comprising a polymeric material and a bioactive material.

The present invention includes a hydrogel and a method of making a porous hydrogel by preparing an aqueous mixture of an uncrosslinked polymer and a crystallizable molecule; casting the mixture into a vessel; allowing the cast mixture to dry to form an amorphous hydrogel film; seeding the cast mixture with a seed crystal of the crystallizable molecule; growing the crystallizable molecule into a crystal structure within the uncrosslinked polymer; crosslinking the polymer around the crystal structure under conditions in which the crystal structure within the crosslinked polymer is maintained; and dissolving the crystals within the crosslinked polymer to form the porous hydrogel.