Coating substrates by polymerizing macromers having free radical-polymerizable substituents

Water soluble macromers are modified by addition of free radical polymerizable groups, such as those containing a carbon-carbon double or triple bond, which can be polymerized under mild conditions to encapsulate tissues, cells, or biologically active materials. The polymeric materials are particularly useful as tissue adhesives, coatings for tissue lumens including blood vessels, coatings for cells such as islets of Langerhans, and coatings, plugs, supports or substrates for contact with biological materials such as the body, and as drug delivery devices for biologically active molecules. A medical condition can be treated by applying to a site a polymerization initiator, then applying a substantially water-soluble, degradable macromer of at least 200 mw and having at least two crosslinkable substituents, and polymerizing the macromer to form a polymeric material that can adhere two surfaces together, be an immunoisolation barrier, prevent adhesion of the site to another surface, or contain a biologically active material for delivery or to provide the polymeric material with resistance to bacterial growth or a decrease in inflammatory response. A biocompatible substrate can be coated by applying a mixture of the macromer of at least 400 mw and an initiator and polymerizing. The initiator may be applied to the substrate before the macromer.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste