Crosslinked compositions formed from water-insoluble copolymers are
disclosed. These compositions are copolymers having a bioresorbable
region, a hydrophilic region and at least two cross-linkable functional
groups per polymer chain. Crosslinking of these polymers can be effected
in solution in organic solvents or in solvent-free systems. If
crosslinking occurs in a humid environment, a hydrogel will form. If
crosslinking occurs in a non-humid environment, a xerogel will form which
will form a hydrogel when exposed to a humid environment and the
resulting crosslinked materials form hydrogels when exposed to humid
environments. These hydrogels are useful as components in medical devices
such as implantable prostheses. In addition, such hydrogels are useful as
delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents and as scaffolding for tissue
engineering applications.