Thermal-responsive polymer networks, compositions, and methods and applications related thereto

Abstract

The invention relates to materials comprising polymer network containing siloxanes or organic-based core structures, preferably the materials have thermal-responsive properties. In some embodiments, the invention relates to an organic core functionalized with polymers. In another embodiment, organic core-polymer conjugates comprise polylactone segments. The organic core-polymer conjugates may be crosslinked together to form a material, and these materials may be functionalized with bioactive compounds so that the materials have desirable biocompatibility or bioactivity when used in medical devices.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A composition comprising a crosslinked network comprising organic cores and polymeric arms as shown in the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is an integer from 9 to 1000, and 
         wherein the crosslinkable groups of the polymeric arms are crosslinked to form a network. 
       
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 36 , further comprising a mineral selected from the group consisting of Ca 2+ , Na + , K + , and Mg 2+  salts. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein the composition has a T g  between 17° C. and 100° C. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 38 , wherein the composition has a T g  between 37° C. and 70° C. 
     
     
         40 . A composition comprising a crosslinked network comprising organic cores and polymeric arms as shown in the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is an integer from 9 to 1000, and 
         wherein the crosslinkable groups of the polymeric arms are crosslinked to form a network. 
       
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 40 , further comprising a mineral selected from the group consisting of Ca 2+ , Na + , K + , and Mg 2+  salts. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 40 , wherein the composition has a T g  between 17° C. and 100° C. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 42 , wherein the composition has a T g  between 37° C. and 70° C. 
     
     
         44 . A composition comprising a crosslinked network comprising organic cores and polymeric arms as shown in the formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein m is an integer from 9 to 1000, and 
         wherein the crosslinkable groups of the polymeric arms are crosslinked to form a network. 
       
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 44 , further comprising a mineral selected from the group consisting of Ca 2+ , Na + , K + , and Mg 2+  salts. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 44 , wherein the composition has a T g  between 17° C. and 100° C. 
     
     
         47 . The composition of  claim 46 , wherein the composition has a T g  between 37° C. and 70° C.