Resorbable structure for treating and healing of tissue defects

• US 20040006146A1
• Filed: 07/06/2002
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation (DSM-Firmenich AG)
• Original Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation (DSM-Firmenich AG)
• Inventors: DeWitt, Todd M., Kelly, Jeffrey C., Evans, Douglas G.
• Application Number:
  US10/190,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20040006146A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 521/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/56 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/58 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/146 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/148 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body

Abstract

Devices and processes (e.g., improved Plasticized Melt Flow processes (PMF) or improved Phase Separation Polymer Concentration (PSPC), etc.) used to make resorbable and non-resorbable structures for treating and/or healing of tissue defects are disclosed. Among the advantages of using these improved processes are the preservation of molecular weight and the broadening of the processing conditions for temperature sensitive polymers and therapies (e.g. polylactide, polyglycolide, polycaprolactone or Cisplatin, etc.). This reduction in processing temperature, pressure and time can help to preserve the molecular weight and/or integrity of the final product or any additive incorporated therein. Additionally, pore size and shape tailoring can increase the osteoconductive nature of the device.

Claims

1. A porous polymeric device manufactured with a plasticized melt flow process utilizing a matrix polymer and a fluid, said device being implantable to treat tissue or defects therein;

said device comprising a polymer matrix and pores, wherein said pores are about 50 to 500 microns in diameter.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said decompression step is arranged to begin from a vacuum.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said pores are arranged substantially throughout said device.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid comprises an inert gas.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said fluid comprises air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, or mixtures thereof.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said matrix polymer is resorbable.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said device comprises a screw, pin, or plate.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said chamber material is heated during said process.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said chamber material further comprises a strengthening agent.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said strengthening agent comprises a polymeric material.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said polymeric material comprises fibers, whiskers, particulate, or platelets.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein said strengthening agent comprises a non- polymeric material.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said non-polymeric material comprises fibers, whiskers, particulate, or platelets.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said non-polymeric material comprises a ceramic or a metallic material.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of said ceramic comprises calcium phosphate or calcium sulfate.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said chamber material further comprises a therapy.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said therapy comprises drugs, biologically active agents, cells or cellular components.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein said chamber material is heated during processing.

19. A porous polymeric device manufactured with a plasticized melt flow process, wherein the chamber material consists essentially of a matrix polymer and a fluid, said device being implantable to treat tissue or defects therein;

said device comprising a polymer matrix and pores, wherein said pores are about 50 to 500 microns in diameter, with said process comprising at least one decompression step.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein at least one decompression step serves to expand said fluid;

and at least a portion of said pores are induced by expansion of said fluid during said decompression step.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein said decompression step is arranged to begin from a vacuum.

22. The device of claim 19, wherein said pores are arranged substantially throughout said device.

23. The device of claim 19, wherein said fluid comprises an inert gas.

24. The device of claim 19, wherein said fluid comprises air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, or mixtures thereof.

25. The device of claim 19, wherein said process further comprises a compression step occurring prior to said decompression step, wherein said fluid was arranged in said material chamber with said polymer prior to the completion of said compression step.

26. The device of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of said matrix polymer is resorbable.

27. The device of claim 19, wherein said device comprises a screw, pin, or plate.

28. A porous polymeric device manufactured with a plasticized melt flow process, wherein the chamber material consists essentially of a matrix polymer and a fluid, said device being implantable to treat tissue or defects therein;

said device comprising a polymer matrix and pores, wherein said device has strength suitable to be used as a structural component.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein said matrix polymer has no added strengthening agent.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said matrix polymer comprises a strengthening agent.

31. The device of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of said matrix polymer is resorbable.

32. The device of claim 28, wherein said component comprises a screw, pin, or plate.