Provided is a superabsorbent structure based on a covalently crosslinked copolymer having a microstructure of a HIPE, and characterized by hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments of at least five residues; the unique chemical and structural properties of the copolymer afford a polymeric superabsorbent structure that is capable of swelling in polar as well as apolar media. Also provided are processes of manufacturing the superabsorbent structure, and uses thereof.

Formation of low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles via controlled supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO.sub.2) impregnation of curcumin into biodegradable nanoporous starch aerogels and methods of preparing these aerogels are disclosed. The nanoporous starch aerogels increase water solubility and bioaccessibility of the curcumin, thereby making them available for preparation of high nutraceutical value foods.

A method for manufacturing a breast implant includes producing an elastic filler material including foam, by applying a source of gas bubbles to a silicone monomer to create a mixture. The mixture is inserted into a sealed chamber. After inserting the mixture, a pressure inside the sealed chamber is set to a first pressure, and a temperature of the mixture inside the sealed chamber is set to a first temperature. Then, following a preset time duration, the pressure is lowered to a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure, and after a given time, the temperature is lowered to a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. A flexible shell, configured for implantation within a breast of a human subject, is filled with the elastic filler 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.

A method for producing a foam body (10) having an internal structure (100, 200, 300), comprising the steps: I) selecting an internal structure (100, 200, 300) to be formed in the foam body (10), the structure comprising a first polymer material; II) providing a foam body (10), the foam body (10) comprising a second polymer material which is different to the first polymer material; III) injecting, by means of an injection means (20), a predefined amount of a melt of the first polymer material or a predefined amount of a reaction mixture (30, 31, 32) which reacts to form the first polymer material at a predefined location inside the foam body (10), corresponding to a volume element of the internal structure (100, 200, 300); IV) repeating step III) for further predefined locations inside the foam body (10), corresponding to further volume elements of the internal structure (10), until the internal structure (10) is formed. The invention also relates to a foam body (10) which has an internal structure (100, 200, 300) and is obtainable by the method according to the invention.

Disclosed herein is a porous hybrid elastomer/polyolefin film, which is a porous polyolefin film wherein at one or more isolated areas of the film pores are at least partly filled with an elastomer. This hybrid film shows improved resistance to tearing, whereas other properties like porosity, polarity, thickness, flexibility, and non-stickiness of the film are substantially retained. Other advantages include improved suture retention. The invention also provides a method to increase tear resistance of a porous polyolefin film comprising steps of providing a porous polyolefin film; identifying one or more locations on the film, at which locations tearing is likely to occur during intended use of the film; applying at the identified locations of the film an amount of a solution of an elastomer in solvent; and substantially removing the solvent; to result in a hybrid elastomer/polyolefin film having one or more isolated areas where pores in the film are at least partly filled with the elastomer. Further aspects concern uses of these hybrid films as a component of a medical implant or device, especially for use in contact with body tissue or fluids, such as in vascular applications like a vascular graft, a stent cover or a catheter balloon; and medical devices or implants comprising said porous hybrid films.

The invention relates to low density fluoropolymer foam, and preferably polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) foam, such as that made with KYNAR PVDF resins, and articles made of the foam. The foam is produced by adding microspheres containing blowing agents to the polymer and processing it through an extruder. The microspheres consist of a hard shell containing a physical blowing agent. The shell softens at elevated temperatures and allows the expansion of the blowing agent, and microsphere to create larger voids within the polymer matrix. By proper control of the polymer composition, viscosity, processing temperature, blowing agent selection, loading ratio, and finishing conditions, useful articles such as foamed PVDF pipe, tube, profiles, film, wire jacketing and other articles can be produced. The microspheres may be added to the fluoropolymer matrix by several means, including as part of a masterbatch with a compatible polymer carrier.

Skin-contact products with a transpiration function such as medical devices or medicinal products, of which face masks, aspirators, ventilators, breast pumps or wound dressings are examples are described especially a skin-contact product with a transpiration function with an improved microclimate at a patient interface material-skin contact area. In an embodiment a material system is described that comprises a hydrophobic silicone base material and a hydrophilic silicone material that is combined with the hydrophobic base material.

The present invention concerns methods of treating systemic, regional, or local inflammation from a patient suffering or at risk of inflammation comprising administration of a therapeutically effective dose of a sorbent that sorbs an inflammatory mediator in said patient. In some preferred embodiments, the sorbent is a biocompatible organic polymer.