Pluromed has developed a family of biocompatible reverse thermosensitive polymers, or Rapid Transition Polymers™, which are liquid at low temperatures and rapidly transition to gel at physiological temperature. This transition occurs very quickly over approximately one half of a degree Celsius, and this transition temperature can be altered with various RTP compositions, concentrations and buffer solutions. The aqueous, biocompatible polymer is reversible back to a liquid via cooling and is dissolvable. Pluromed’s first products using this proprietary technology are LeGoo^® Internal Vessel Occluder for temporary occlusion of blood vessels, and BackStop™ for Kidney Stone Removal.

Pluromed Rapid Transition Polymers™ are composed of tri-block polymers with two hydrophilic chains connected by a hydrophobic chain. The rapid viscosity transition occurs in response to heat which causes the polymer chains to deform and the hydrophilic arms to align. This leads to the formation of micelles and a subsequent phase change to a viscous gel. The resulting gel is dissolvable and is also reversible back to a liquid with cooling. The simple animation below captures this process.

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Pluromed is actively pursuing additional applications that will benefit from its proprietary technology.

Click Here to review applications in the pipeline