abstract |
The invention relates to highly biocompatible or biophilic un-cross-linked or cross-linked polymers comprising one or more side-chain active acrylic amino acids of formula I n n n n n n n n n n wherein: X is —NH(CH 2 ) 4 —, —O—C 6 H 4 —CH 2 —, —OCH 2 —, —O—CH(CH 3 )—, —S—CH 2 —, —O-proline, and R is H or CH 3 ; and wherein the polymer further includes a free radical initiator and, optionally, a cross-linking agent having a plurality of polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups. The invention further concerns various highly biocompatible, cross-linked co-polymers comprising one or more monomers of formula I, and one or more other polymerizable monomers. Uses of such polymers and co-polymers for the production of contact lenses, intraocular lenses, implants, wound healing slabs, additives for food and cosmetics, conductive plastics, spinnable fibers, and the like are disclosed. |