Methods of using in situ hydration of hydrogel articles for sealing or augmentation of tissue or vessels

• US 20080017201A1
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Incept LLC
• Original Assignee: Incept LLC
• Inventors: Sawhney, Amarpreet
• Granted Patent: US 8,105,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/831
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12099 characterised by the location of the occluder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12104 in an air passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12109 in a blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12186 liquid materials adapted to be injected
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1219 expandable in contact with liquids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 6/19 Self-expanding, e.g. for filling teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 6/52 Cleaning; Disinfecting
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 6/54 Filling; Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 6/69 Medicaments
• 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: A61K 9/0036 Devices retained in the vagina or cervix for a prolonged period, e.g. intravaginal rings, medicated tampons, medicated diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0085 Brain, e.g. brain implants; Spinal cord
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2027 obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyvinyl pyrrolidone, poly(meth)acrylates
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/418 Agents promoting blood coagulation, blood-clotting agents, embolising agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 24/0015 Medicaments; Biocides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 24/0031 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/145 Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 33/0064 : Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 33/14 : of esters containing halogen, nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen atoms in addition to the carboxy oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 39/06 : Homopolymers or copolymers of N-vinyl-pyrrolidones
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 71/02 : Polyalkylene oxides

Abstract

Pharmaceutically acceptable hydrogel polymers of natural, recombinant or synthetic origin, or hybrids thereof, are introduced in a dry, less hydrated, or substantially deswollen state and rehydrate in a physiological environment to undergo a volumetric expansion and to affect sealing, plugging, or augmentation of tissue, defects in tissue, or of organs. The hydrogel polymers may deliver therapeutic entities by controlled release at the site. Methods to form useful devices from such polymers, and to implant the devices are provided.

Claims

1. A contraceptive method for blocking a lumen of a fallopian tube with an insertable-and-swellable hydrogel comprising:

placing a hydrogel plug in a substantially deswollen state in a lumen of a fallopian tube;

wherein the hydrogel changes from the substantially deswollen state to an expanded state to occlude the lumen; and

wherein the hydrogel is removed from the fallopian tube by biodegradation of the hydrogel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogel biodegrades spontaneously in the lumen.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the spontaneous degradation is caused by hydrolysis.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising freeze-drying the hydrogel to achieve the substantially deswollen state.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogel comprises poly(ethylene glycol).

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogel comprises osmolality enhancing agents to accelerate a rate of hydration of the hydrogel.

9. The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrogel comprises an alginate-based gel cross-linked with calcium.

7. The method of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the hydrogel is rod-shaped.

8. The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrogel comprises a radio-opaque contrast agent.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrogel has a tensile strength of at least 10 kPa.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the hydrogel consists essentially of synthetic materials.