A polymeric solution capable of gelling upon exposure to a critical minimum value
of a plurality of environmental stimuli is disclosed. The polymeric solution may
be an aqueous solution utilized in vivo and capable of having the gelation reversed
if at least one of the stimuli fall below, or outside the range of, the critical
minimum value. The aqueous polymeric solution can be used either in industrial
or pharmaceutical environments. In the medical environment, the aqueous polymeric
solution is provided with either a chemical or radioisotopic therapeutic agent
for delivery to a specific body part. The primary advantage of the process is that
exposure to one environmental stimuli alone will not cause gelation, thereby enabling
the therapeutic agent to be conducted through the body for relatively long distances
without gelation occurring.