NEW ANIONIC POLYELECTROLYTE HYDROGEL FOR CORNEAL SURGERY

A new high-water-content (78%) anionic polyelectrolyte hydrogel was ob tained by phase inversion (demixion) of a polymer solution containing 9.0% poly(acrylonitrile sodium methallylsulphonate), 85.0% dimethylfor mamide, and 6.0% saline solution (0.9% NaCl). The hydrogel is permeabl e to water, saline, urea, creatinine, glucose, human albumin, and sali ne-dissolved oxygen. Investigation of the interactions between human s erum and surfaces prepared with the new yielded hydrogel, compared to serum interaction with silica-free silicone (RTV), regenerated cellulo se (Cuprophan), MMA/PVP copolymer (Lidofilcon), PMMA (Perspex), PTFE ( Gore-Tex), and poly(acrylonitrile sodium methallylsulphonate) hemodial ysis membrane (AN-69), showed the hydrogel and hemodialysis membrane ( both prepared with AN-69 copolymer) to be the only materials devoid of complement (C')-activating ability. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.