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Biodegradable in-situ forming implants and methods of producing the same

  • US 5,739,176 A
  • Filed: 03/18/1994
  • Issued: 04/14/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of forming a solid, biodegradable implant in-situ, in a body, comprising:

  • (a) dissolving a biocompatible, water-insoluble, biodegradable thermoplastic polymer in a biocompatible, water-soluble organic solvent to form a composition;

    the organic solvent being capable of dissipating or diffusing into a body fluid upon placement within a body tissue;

    and the thermoplastic polymer being selected from the group consisting of;

    (i) a copolymer of a biodegradable, water-insoluble monomer or polymer and a biodegradable, water-soluble monomer or polymer, wherein the amount of water-insoluble monomer or polymer is sufficient to render the copolymer water-insoluble;

    (ii) a copolymer of polyethylene glycol with polylactide, polyglycolide or polycaprolactone, or a terpolymer thereof;

    (iii) a copolymer of lactide with glycolide or caprolactone, or a terpolymer thereof;

    (iv) a copolymer of lactide with a carbonate; and

    (v) a polyanhydride; and

    (b) placing the composition into an implant site within the body; and

    (c) allowing the organic solvent to dissipate or diffuse into body fluid, and the thermoplastic polymer to coagulate or solidify to produce the biodegradable solid implant;

    wherein the proportion of polymer in solvent and the molecular weight of the polymer are effective to provide said dissipation or diffusion and said coagulation.

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