Poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel

• US 20050071003A1
• Filed: 10/14/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Ku, David N.
• Application Number:
  US10/966,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20050071003A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/11.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/32 Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. carbomers , poly(meth)acrylates, or polyvinyl pyrrolidone
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/16 obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/52 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 29/04 Polyvinyl alcohol; Partially hydrolysed homopolymers or copolymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids

Abstract

The present invention comprises a poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel construct having a wide range of mechanical strengths for use as a human tissue replacement. The hydrogel construct may comprise a tissue scaffolding, a low bearing surface within a joint, or any other structure which is suitable for supporting the growth of tissue.

Claims

1-10. -10. (Cancelled)

11. A meniscus shaped biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol construct comprising:

a PVA polymer; and

water;

said construct having been prepared according to the following steps;

pouring a water and PVA polymer mixture into a meniscus shaped mold;

freezing and thawing said water and PVA polymer mixture within said meniscus shaped mold at least once to create an interlocking mesh between PVA polymer molecules to create a PVA cryogel;

removing, at least partially, said PVA cryogel from said meniscus shaped mold; and

freezing and thawing said PVA cryogel at least once in the presence of water.

12. A meniscus shaped biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol construct comprising:

a PVA polymer; and

water;

said construct having been prepared according to the following steps;

pouring a water and PVA polymer mixture into a compliant and elastic meniscus shaped mold;

freezing and thawing said water and PVA polymer mixture within said meniscus shaped mold at least once to create an interlocking mesh between PVA polymer molecules to create a PVA cryogel;

removing, at least partially, said PVA cryogel from said meniscus shaped mold; and

freezing and thawing said PVA cryogel at least once in the presence of water.

13. A meniscus shaped biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol construct comprising:

a PVA polymer; and

water;

said construct having been prepared according to the following steps;

pouring a water and PVA polymer mixture into a meniscus shaped mold without entirely filling said mold;

freezing and thawing said water and PVA polymer mixture within said meniscus shaped mold at least once to create an interlocking mesh between PVA polymer molecules to create a PVA cryogel;

removing, at least partially, said PVA cryogel from said meniscus shaped mold;

immersing said PVA cryogel in water; and

freezing and thawing said PVA cryogel at least once while immersed in water.

14. The biocompatible polyvinyl alcohol construct of claim 13 wherein the mold has an air space equaling at least 8% of the mold volume following the pouring of water and PVA polymer into said meniscus shaped mold.