"HYDROPHOBIC AND HYDROPHILIC INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORKS DERIVED FROM HYDROPHOBIC POLYMERS AND METHODS OF PREPARING THE SAME"
A composition of matter comprising hydrophobic or hydrophilic (or both) interpenetrating polymer network containing a non-ionic/ionic polymer and a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, articles made from such composition and methods of preparing such articles. The invention also includes a process for preparing a hydrophobic/hydrophilic IPN or semi-IPN from a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer including the steps of placing an non-ionizable/ionizable monomer solution in contact with a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; diffusing the monomer solution into the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer; and polymerizing the monomers to form a penetrating polymer inside the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer, thereby forming the IPN or semi-IPN.
1 . A composition of matter comprising a first IPN or semi-IPN comprising a non-ionic polymer P and a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer T and a second IPN or semi-IPN comprising the same said hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer T and a hydrophilic interpenetrating polymer S.
2 . The composition of claim 1 wherein P is derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer without ionizable functional groups.
3 . The composition of claim 1 wherein T is a polyurethane containing polymer.
4 . The composition of claim 1 wherein S is an ionic polymer.
5 . The composition of claim 1 wherein P is polymethylmethacrylate and T is polyurethane.
6 . A composition of matter comprising a first IPN or semi-IPN comprising a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer and a non-ionic polymer and a second IPN or semi-IPN comprising the same said hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer and a hydrophilic interpenetrating polymer.
7 . The composition of claim 6 , wherein the first IPN or semi-IPN is disposed in a first section of the said hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer and the second IPN or semi-IPN is disposed in a second section of the said hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer.
8 . The composition of claim 6 wherein the non-ionic polymer P forms a concentration gradient from a first portion of the composition to a second portion of the composition.
9 . The composition of claim 6 wherein the non-ionic polymer P forms a concentration gradient from a first portion of the first IPN or semi-IPN to a second portion of the first IPN or semi-IPN.
10 . The composition of claim 6 wherein the hydrophilic interpenetrating polymer S forms a concentration gradient from a first portion of the composition to a second portion of the composition.
11 . The composition of claim 6 wherein the hydrophilic interpenetrating polymer S forms a concentration gradient from a first portion of the second IPN or semi-IPN to a second portion of the second IPN or semi-IPN.
12 . The composition of claim 6 further comprising at least two concentration gradients, wherein the non-ionic polymer P forms a first concentration gradient from a first portion of the composition to a second portion of composition and the hydrophilic interpenetrating polymer S forms a second concentration gradient from a third portion of the composition to a fourth portion of the composition.
13 . The composition of claim 12 wherein the first concentration gradient provides an adhesiveness gradient within the composition.
14 . The composition of claim 12 wherein the second concentration gradient provides a lubricious gradient within the composition.
15 . The composition of claim 12 wherein the first concentration gradient provides a stiffness gradient within the composition.
16 . The composition of claim 12 wherein the first concentration gradient provides a strength gradient within the composition.
17 . The composition of claim 12 wherein the first concentration gradient provides an adhesiveness gradient and the second concentration provides a hydration gradient.
18 . The composition of claim 12 wherein the first concentration gradient and the second concentration gradient partially or fully overlap.
19 . The composition of claim 1 further comprising a region of the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer T that is disposed adjacent to an IPN or semi-IPN, wherein the region of the hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer T does not contain a polymer P or S.
20 . A composition of matter comprising at least two IPNs or semi-IPNs, wherein a first IPN or semi-IPN comprises a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer and a non-ionic polymer and a second IPN or semi-IPN comprises a hydrophobic thermoset or thermoplastic polymer and a hydrophilic interpenetrating polymer.
21 - 36 . (canceled)