Use of polymers for drug delivery

Patent Granted Absorbable polyurethanes, polyamides and polyester urethanes prepared from at least one compound selected from: ##STR00001## or the diamines and diisocyanates thereof, wherein each X represents a member independently selected from --CH.sub.2COO-- (glycolic acid moiety), --CH(CH.sub.3)COO-- (lactic acid moiety), --CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2COO-- (dioxanone), --CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2COO-- (caprolactone moiety), --(CH.sub.2).sub.yCOO-- where y is one of the numbers 2, 3, 4 or 6-24 inclusive, and --(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.z'CH.sub.2COO-- where z' is an integer between 2 and 24, inclusive; each Y represents a member independently selected from --COCH.sub.2O-- (glycolic ester moiety), --COCH(CH.sub.3)O-- (lactic ester moiety), --COCH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2O-- (dioxanone ester), --COCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O-- (caprolactone ester), --CO(CH.sub.2).sub.mO-- where m is an integer between 2, 3, 4 or 6-24 inclusive, --COCH.sub.2O(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.n-- where n is an integer between 2 and 24, inclusive; R' is hydrogen, benzyl or an alkyl group, the alkyl group being either straight-chained or branched; p is an integer between 1 and 4, inclusive; and Rn represents one or more members selected from H, alkoxy, benzyloxy, aldehyde, halogen, carboxylic acid and --NO.sub.2, which is attached directly to an aromatic ring or attached through an aliphatic chain. Absorbable polymers prepared from these compounds are useful for drug delivery, tissue engineering, tissue adhesives, adhesion prevention and other implantable medical devices.