the invention discloses materials that adsorb readily to the surfaces of body tissues in situ and provide a steric barrier between such tissues , so that tissue adhesions , which typically form following surgical procedures , are minimized . these materials contain a polymer of hydrophilic molecules such as polyethylene glycol bound to a polymer that spontaneously adsorbs to biological tissue such as phenylboronic acid . the peg - pba co - polymer can be formed in a variety of geometries . the materials can also be used to coat prosthetics and other implants .