MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR THE IMMOBILIZATION OF BIOACTIVE SPECIES ONTO BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS

摘要

The present invention is directed to hydrophobic biodegradable polymeric materials having at least one surface thereof rendered more hydrophilic by attachment of at least one layer of a hydrophilic polymer thereto. The hydrophilic polymer layer is cross-linked together on the surface of the biodegradable material with a cross-linking agent or scheme that is biodegradable. Bioactive species are immobilized to chemically functional groups of the components of the first layer or to unreacted chemically functional groups of the cross-linking agent. Optionally, the bioactive species may be reversibly immobilized through chemically functional linkages that are degradable. The result is an implantable construction with immobilized bioactive species having structural components that are all subject to degradation in the body of a recipient.