Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for modifying cell contact with a surface, comprising applying to the surface a biocompatible polymeric material which is selected from the group consisting of copolymers having the formulas (A)x(B)y; (A)x(B)y(A)z; (B)x(A)y(B)z; and a brush copolymer (A)x(B)y having bristles of poly(A); wherein (A)x, (A)y and (A)z are biocompatible synthetic polymers and mixtures of polymers that form a region which is polynonionic at a pH of between 6.5 and 8.5 and does not bind tissue; and wherein (B)y, (B)x, and (B)z are biocompatible, water-soluble synthetic polymers or mixture of polymers that form a region which is polycationic at a pH of between 6.5 and 8.5 and binds to tissue; and wherein x is an integer of greater than or equal to 5, y is an integer of greater than or equal to 3, and z is an integer of greater than or equal to 0; wherein the polymer has a molecular weight of at least 300 g/mole.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method for modifying cell contact with a surface, comprising applying to the surface a biocompatible polymeric material which is selected from the group consisting of copolymers having the formulas (A)x(B)y; (A)x(B)y(A)z; (B)x(A)y(B)z; and a brush copolymer (A)x(B)y having bristles of poly(A); wherein (A)x, (A)y and (A)z are biocompatible synthetic polymers and mixtures of polymers that form a region which is polynonionic at a pH of between 6.5 and 8.5 and does not bind tissue; and wherein (B)y, (B)x, and (B)z are biocompatible, water-soluble synthetic polymers or mixture of polymers that form a region which is polycationic at a pH of between 6.5 and 8.5 and binds to tissue; and wherein x is an integer of greater than or equal to 5, y is an integer of greater than or equal to 3, and z is an integer of greater than or equal to 0; wherein the polymer has a molecular weight of at least 300 g/mole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the a biocompatible polymeric material is a block copolymer having the formula (A)x(B)y.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material further comprises a region C that is subject to degradation in vivo by hydrolysis, enzymatic degradation, or oxidation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue binding region (B)y converts to a non-tissue binding region when exposed to water, oxidation or to enzymatic attack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the non-tissue binding region (A)x converts to a tissue binding region when exposed to water, oxidation or to enzymatic attack.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric material further comprises an agent which is biologically active in a patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is a tissue surface, and wherein the polymer is applied to the tissue surface to inhibit tissue adhesion, thrombus formation, restenosis, or metastasis at the surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the surface is a region of a tissue surface that has been surgically cut.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is the lining of a damaged blood vessel, and wherein the polymer is applied to the surface to inhibit thrombosis or adhesion at the lining of a blood vessel that has been damaged.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is a tissue surface, and wherein the polymer is applied to the tissue surface to inhibit attachment of cancerous or tumor cells.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the surface is injured tissue of an organ or lumen of the body which contacts other organs that have also been injured.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymer further comprises an agent which is biologically active in a patient, and wherein the polymer is targeted to attach to specific cell types by the agent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is a tissue surface that has been chemically fixed or cryopreserved.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein (A)x and (A)z are selected from the group consisting of poly(oxyalkylene oxides), poly(ethyloxazoline), poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl alcohol), neutral poly(amino acids) and copolymers of monomers selected from the group consisting of oxyalkylene oxides, ethyloxazoline, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl alcohol, and amino acids.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein (B)y is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethyleneimine), quaternary amines, and polyamines having amine groups on either the polymer backbone or the polymer sidechains.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue binding region (B)y is formed by polymerization of amides or esters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 where the non-tissue binding region (A)x is polyanionic and soluble in water.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the polymeric material is biodegradable, and the biologically active agent is a component which is released as the polymer degrades.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the biologically active agent is chemically coupled to the polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the biocompatible polymeric material is applied to the tissue surface in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is a tissue surface and wherein the application of the polymer to the surface inhibits the attachment of cancer cells or platelets to the tissue surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is the surface of a tissue at a site of injury to the tissue, and wherein the application of the polymer to the surface enhances the binding of epithelial cells to the injured site.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is selected from the group consisting of an injured blood vessel, a surgical anastomosis, an injured serosal surface, a corneal injury and a skin wound.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is selected from the group consisting of an injured tissue site and an implant surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the surface is the surface of a second cell, and wherein the method comprises applying the polymer to the second cell thereby to inhibit or enhance contact of the cells.