Radio-Opaque polymer biomaterials

Abstract

Iodinated and/or brominated derivatives of aromatic dihydroxy monomers are prepared and polymerized to form radio-opaque polymers. The monomers may also be copolymerized with other dihydroxy monomers. The iodinated and brominated aromatic dihydroxy monomers can be employed as radio-opacifying, biocompatible non-toxic additives for other polymeric biomaterials. Radio-opaque medical implants and drug delivery devices for implantation prepared from the polymers of the present invention are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A radio-opaque polymer comprising at least one aromatic moiety having at least one iodide or bromide ring-substituent.  
     
     
         2 . A radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1  comprising one or more iodide substituted aromatic ring.  
     
     
         3 . A radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1  comprising one or more bromide substituted aromatic ring.  
     
     
         4 . A radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1 , comprising a poly(alkylene oxide) block copolymer.  
     
     
         5 . A radio-opaque composition characterized by a biocompatible or bioerodible matrix polymer having physically admixed, or embedded therein the radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . A radio-opaque microsphere formed from the radio-opaque composition of  claim 5 .  
     
     
         7 . An implantable, radio-opaque medical device comprising a radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         8 . The implantable, radio-opaque medical device of  claim 7  wherein said device is formed from said radio-opaque polymer.  
     
     
         9 . The implantable, radio-opaque medical device of  claim 7  wherein said device is coated with said radio-opaque polymer.  
     
     
         10 . A film for use as a barrier to prevent the formation of surgical adhesions comprising a polymer of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         11 . A drug delivery device comprising a biologically or pharmaceutically active compound in combination with a polymer of  claim 1 , wherein said active compound is present in an amount effective for therapeutic site-specific or systemic drug delivery.  
     
     
         12 . The drug delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein said active compound is covalently bonded to said polymer.  
     
     
         13 . The drug delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein said active compound is physically admixed with said polymer or physically embedded or dispersed in a matrix formed by said polymer.  
     
     
         14 . A method for site-specific or systemic drug delivery comprising implanting in the body of a patient in need thereof the drug delivery device of  claim 11 .  
     
     
         15 . The drug delivery method of  claim 14 , wherein said active compound is covalently bonded to said polymer.  
     
     
         16 . The drug delivery method of  claim 14 , wherein said active compound is physically admixed with said polymer or physically embedded or dispersed in a matrix formed by said polymer.  
     
     
         17 . A method for preventing the formation of adhesions between injured tissues comprising inserting as a barrier between said injured tissues a sheet or film consisting essentially of a polymer of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         18 . A method of regulating cellular attachment, migration and proliferation on a polymeric substrate comprising contacting living cells, tissues or biological fluids containing living cells with a polymer of  claim 4 .  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said polymer of  claim 1  is in the form of a coating on a medical implant.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said polymer of  claim 1  is in the form of a polymeric tissue scaffold.  
     
     
         21 . A pharmaceutical composition characterized by (a) the polymer of  claim 1  comprising one or more side chains conjugated to a biologically or pharmaceutically active compound; and (b) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for said polymer conjugate composition.  
     
     
         22 . A pharmaceutical composition of  claim 21 , wherein said composition is in the form of a tablet, capsule, suspension, solution, emulsion, liposome, or aerosol.  
     
     
         23 . A pharmaceutical composition of  claim 22 , wherein said composition is in the form of an injectable suspension, solution, or emulsion.  
     
     
         24 . A pharmaceutical composition of  claim 22 , wherein said composition is in the form of an injectable liposome composition.  
     
     
         25 . A stent comprising a polymer of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         26 . The stent of  claim 24  wherein said stent is formed from said polymer.  
     
     
         27 . The stent of  claim 24  wherein said stent comprises a coating formed from said polymer.  
     
     
         28 . A method of producing a radio-opaque polymer comprising polymerizing a monomer comprising an iodide- or bromide-substituted aromatic ring, in the presence or absence of other polymerizable compounds, to produce a radio-opaque polymer.