Abstract A copolymer microparticle is presented which is derived from at least about 5 weight percent of free carboxylic acid group-containing vinyl monomers, monomers which have a poly(alkylene oxide) appended thereto, oleophilic monomers and other nonionic hydrophilic monomers. Microgels containing these copolymers having a median water swollen diameter of about 0.01 to about 1.0 micrometer are disclosed. Pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions are disclosed comprising a therapeutic or diagnostic agent and microgels comprising a copolymer derived from at least about 5 weight percent of non-esterified carboxylic acid group-containing vinyl monomers, oleophilic monomers and other nonionic hydrophilic monomers, with the proviso that when the median water swollen diameter of the microgels is 0.1 micrometer or greater, at least 5 weight percent of the monomers have a poly(alkylene oxide) appended thereto. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods are also disclosed wherein the microgels are substantially protein non-adsorbent and substantially refractory to phagocytosis.
A copolymer microgel derived from: a) from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of recurring units derived from free carboxylic acid group containing vinyl monomers; b) from about 1 to about 25 percent of recurring units derived from monomers that have poly(alkylene oxide) groups appended thereto; c) from about 20 to about 90 weight percent of recurring units derived from oleophilic monomers which contain alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon groups; and d) from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of recurring units derived from nonionic hydrophilic group-containing monomers containing poly(alkylene oxide) or polar groups.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A copolymer microgel derived from: a) from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of recurring units derived from free carboxylic acid group containing vinyl monomers; b) from about 1 to about 25 percent of recurring units derived from monomers that have poly(alkylene oxide) groups appended thereto; c) from about 20 to about 90 weight percent of recurring units derived from oleophilic monomers which contain alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon groups; and d) from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of recurring units derived from nonionic hydrophilic group-containing monomers containing poly(alkylene oxide) or polar groups.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The copolymer microgel according to claim 1 wherein said copolymer microgel is derived from alkyl methacrylates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The copolymer microgel according to claim 1 wherein said polyalkylene oxide groups are polyethylene oxides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The copolymer microgel according to claim 1 wherein said copolymer microgel comprises recurring units derived from methyl methacrylate, poly(ethylene oxide) methacrylate, methacrylic acid and ethylene dimethacrylate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The copolymer microgel according to claim 1, further comprising 0.5 to about 25 weight percent of recurring units derived from cross-linking monomers having two or more addition-polymerizable vinyl groups, that produce a swellable three-dimensional polymer network upon polymerization.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The copolymer microgel according to claim 1 wherein said copolymer microgel is a substantially protein non-absorbent particle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The non-adsorbent particle according to claim 6 wherein said non-adsorbent particle is a microparticle having a median water swollen diameter of about 0.01 to about 1.0 micrometers.