Fragmented polymeric compositions and methods for their use
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for sealing a tissue tract, said method comprising at least partly filling a tissue tract with a fragmented hydrogel hydrated at less than its equilibrium swell, said fragmented hydrogel comprising subunits having sizes from 0.05 mm to 5 mm when fully hydrated and an equilibrium swell from 400% to 1300%, wherein said hydrogel degrades in the tissue tract after from 1 to 120 days.
3 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
Molecular cross-linked gels comprise a variety of biologic and non-biologic polymers, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and synthetic polymers. Such molecular gels may be applied to target sites in a patient'"'"'s body by extruding the gel through an orifice at the target site. Alternatively, the gels may be mechanically disrupted and used in implantable articles, such as breast implants. When used in vivo, the compositions are useful for inhibiting post-surgical spinal and other tissue adhesions, for filling tissue divots, tissue tracts, body cavities, surgical defects, and the like.
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Citations
31 Claims
- 1. A method for sealing a tissue tract, said method comprising at least partly filling a tissue tract with a fragmented hydrogel hydrated at less than its equilibrium swell, said fragmented hydrogel comprising subunits having sizes from 0.05 mm to 5 mm when fully hydrated and an equilibrium swell from 400% to 1300%, wherein said hydrogel degrades in the tissue tract after from 1 to 120 days.
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2. A method for inhibiting bleeding at a target site in a patient'"'"'s body, said method comprising delivering a fragmented hydrogel hydrated at less than its equilibrium swell, said fragmented hydrogel comprising subunits having sizes from 0.05 mm to 5 mm when fully hydrated and an equilibrium swell from 400% to 1300%, wherein said hydrogel degrades in the tissue tract after from 1 to 120 days to the target site in an amount sufficient to inhibit bleeding.
- 3. A method for delivering a bioactive substance to a target site in a patient'"'"'s body, said method comprising delivering a fragmented hydrogel hydrated at less than its equilibrium swell, said fragmented hydrogel comprising subunits having sizes from 0.05 mm to 5 mm when fully hydrated and an equilibrium swell from 400% to 1300%, wherein said hydrogel degrades in the tissue tract after from 1 to 120 days in combination with the bioactive substance to the target site.
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4. A method for delivering a swellable composition to a target site in tissue, said method comprising providing a fragmented hydrogel hydrated at less than its equilibrium swell, said fragmented hydrogel comprising subunits having sizes from 0.05 mm to 5 mm when fully hydrated and an equilibrium swell from 400% to 1300%, wherein said hydrogel degrades in the tissue tract after from 1 to 120 days, said composition being hydrated at less than its equilibrium swell and applying the composition to the target site, wherein it swells to an equilibrium swell value.
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5. A method for applying a polymeric composition at a target site in a patient'"'"'s body, said method comprising:
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providing a biocompatible resorbable molecular cross-linked hydrogel; and extruding the gel through an orifice at the target site. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification