Resorbable structure for treating and healing of tissue defects

• US 20040010048A1
• Filed: 08/15/2002
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation (DSM-Firmenich AG)
• Original Assignee: Kensey Nash Corporation (DSM-Firmenich AG)
• Inventors: Evans, Douglas G., DeWitt, Todd M., Kelly, Jeffrey C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,049,348 B2
• 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 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. The present invention relates to an improved porous implant wherein the pores of the implant present a second modeling material on their surfaces. This second material provides a textured or roughened face to the internal surfaces of pores. Additionally, this second material can be incorporated in sufficient quantity to, among other things, create a microporous network connecting interior closed cell pores with the exterior of the device.

Claims

1. A porous polymeric device that is implantable to treat tissue or defects therein;

said device comprising a polymer matrix, pores, and at least one modeling agent;

wherein said pores are of irregular shapes due to interactions with said at least one pore modeling agent.

2. A porous polymeric device that is implantable to treat tissue or defects therein;

said device comprising a polymer matrix and pores, wherein said polymer matrix comprises at least one pore modeling agent;

wherein said pores are of irregular shapes due to interactions with said at least one pore modeling agent.

3. A porous polymeric device that is implantable to treat tissue or defects therein;

said device comprising a polymer matrix, pores, and at least one modeling agent;

wherein said pores are of irregular shapes due to interactions with said at least one pore modeling agent during processing.

4. A porous polymeric device that is implantable to treat tissue or defects therein;

said device comprising a polymer matrix, pores, and at least one modeling agent;

said device being manufactured with at least one decompression step;

wherein said pores are of irregular shapes due to interactions with said at least one pore modeling agent during said decompression step.

5. A porous polymeric device that is implantable to treat tissue or defects therein;

said device comprising a polymer matrix, pores, and at least one modeling agent and being manufactured with at least one decompression step to expand a pore induction fluid;

wherein at least a portion of said pores are induced by expansion of said pore induction fluid during said decompression step, with said pores further being of irregular shape due to interactions with said at least one pore modeling agent during said decompression step.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said polymer comprises said pore induction fluid prior to said decompression step.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said decompression step comprises a vacuum.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said pores are arranged substantially throughout said device.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said pores are substantially interconnected.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein said pore induction fluid is arranged in said polymer simultaneously with said decompression step.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said pore induction fluid comprises air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or argon.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said pores are arranged substantially throughout said device.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said pores are substantially interconnected.

14. The device of claim 5, wherein said device was manufactured from a process that further comprised a compression step occurring prior to said decompression step, wherein said pore induction agent was arranged in said polymer matrix prior to the completion of said compression step.

15. The device of claim 5, wherein said at least one pore modeling agent comprises a material with a higher melting point than said polymer matrix.

16. The device of claim 5, wherein said at least one pore modeling agent comprises a material with a higher strength than said polymer matrix.

17. The device of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said polymer matrix is resorbable.