Copolymers containing phosphorylcholine groups and methods of preparing and using the same

Abstract

Methods for synthesizing a random copolymer having a phosphorylcholine group. Syntheses involving a reaction mixture containing a chain transfer agent (CTA), a solvent, a hydrophobic methacrylate monomer, a 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) monomer, and, optionally, an initiator. The random copolymers produced by such synthesis methods having a polydispersity index (PDI) of less than about 1.3 and a peak molecular weight (M p ) of less than about 130,000. Polymer blends and medical devices including such random copolymers, and methods of treating a mammal using such random copolymers or medical devices.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A copolymer comprising a random distribution of a phosphorylcholine repeating unit and at least one hydrophobic repeating unit, the copolymer comprising:
 (a) the phosphorylcholine repeating unit having the formula (II)   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       and
 (b) the at least one hydrophobic repeating unit having the formula (III) 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 4  is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R 5  is an alkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and 
         wherein the copolymer has a polydispersity index (PDI) of less than 1.3 and a peak molecular weight (M p ) of less than 130,000. 
       
     
     
         24 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The copolymer of  claim 23  wherein R 4  is a methyl group and R 5  is a butyl group or a 2-ethylhexyl group. 
     
     
         28 . The copolymer of  claim 23 , wherein the PDI of the copolymer is less than about 1.2. 
     
     
         29 . The copolymer of  claim 23 , wherein the M p  of the copolymer following its administration to and urinary excretion by a rat is ±about 15% of its M p  upon its administration to the rat and/or ±about 10% of its PDI upon its administration to the rat. 
     
     
         30 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A polymer blend comprising at least one biocompatible polymer and the copolymer of  claim 23 . 
     
     
         33 . The polymer blend of  claim 32 , wherein the biocompatible polymer comprises a lactic acid moiety. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The polymer blend of  claim 32 , comprising between about 0.5 wt % and about 30 wt % of the copolymer and between about 70 wt % and about 99.5 wt % of the biocompatible polymer. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The polymer blend of  claim 32 , further comprising a bioactive agent. 
     
     
         38 - 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A medical device comprising the copolymer of  claim 23  or a polymer blend comprising at least one biocompatible polymer and the copolymer of  claim 23 . 
     
     
         41 - 54 . (canceled)