Solid biodegradable device for use in tissue repair

• US 6,391,049 B1
• Filed: 10/06/1999
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Original Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System (University of Texas System)
• Inventors: Welch, Ashley J., McNally, Karen M., Sorg, Brian S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Vy Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/413,604
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 606/212, 606/213, 606/214, 606/215, 606/8, 606/40, 606/154, 606/7, 623/1.41
• US Class Current: 606/214
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/005 hardenable using external energy source, e.g. laser, ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00508 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00517 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/00 Medicinal preparations obtained by treating materials with wave energy or particle radiation ; Therapies using these preparations
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/06 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds A61L31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/14 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/148 Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/04 Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones C08L67/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A composition and method for a light activated composition for improved wound closure, is disclosed. The composition includes a biodegradable polymer that is impregnated with a solder that is biologically compatible and a chromophoric dye. The chromophoric dye enhances the amount of light energy that the composition absorbs.

Claims

1. A composition suitable for the repair of separated biological tissue comprising:

a solid biodegradable polymeric material chosen from the group consisting of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid), poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(ε

-caprolactone) (PLGA), polyortho esters, polyanhydrides or combinations thereof;

a weldable material impregnated on the solid biodegradable polymeric material; and

a chromophoric dye having a concentration gradient across the thickness of the biodegradable polymeric material.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the solid biodegradable polymeric material comprises a co-polymer of polylactic and polyglycolic acid (PLGA) where the weight ratio can vary between 0 and 100 percent.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the solid polymeric biodegradable material comprises a biologically compatible salt whose particle size alters the porosity of the polymeric biodegradable material.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the weldable material comprises a protein solder.

5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the protein solder has been denatured.

6. The composition of claim 4, wherein the protein solder comprises albumin protein solder.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the chromophoric dye comprises indocyanine green dye.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the chromophoric dye comprises carbon black.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable polymeric material comprises:

a co-polymer of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid (PLGA);

the weldable material comprises a protein solder, wherein the protein solder further comprises albumin; and

the chromophoric dye comprises indocyanine green.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein:

the biodegradable polymeric material comprises a co-polymer of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid (PLGA) in which the ratio of polylactic acid to polyglycolic acid is 85 weight percent to 15 weight percent;

the weldable material comprises a protein solder, wherein the protein solder further comprises albumin; and

the chromophoric dye comprises indocyanine green.

11. The composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more wound healing agents.

12. A method of joining separated biological tissue comprising the steps of:

forming a solid biodegradable polymeric material chosen from the group consisting of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA, poly(ε

-caprolactone), polyortho esters, polyanhydrides or combinations thereof;

impregnating the solid biodegradable material with a weldable material; and

adding a chromophoric dye to the solid biodegradable polymeric material wherein the chromophoric dye has a concentration gradient across the thickness of the biodegradable polymeric material.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

identifying a tissue in need of repair;

placing the solid biodegradable polymeric material on the tissue; and

exposing the solid biodegradable polymeric material to laser light.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the laser light wavelength matches absorption peaks in the absorption spectrum of the chromophoric dye.

15. A method for forming a solid biodegradable polymeric material for biological tissue repair comprising the steps of:

forming first and second weldable biodegradable polymeric material patches having a conentration gradient of chromophoric dye wherein the biodegradable material patches are chosen from the group consisting of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA, poly(ε

-caprolactone), polyortho esters, polyanhydrides or combinations thereof;

pressing the patches of treated biodegradable polymer together to form a single unit; and

exposing the solid biodegradable polymeric material patches to laser light.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the porosity of the biodegradable polymeric material of said first and second patch is different.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the patches are further held using sutures, staples, or other means of physically joining tissue.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the laser light is provided by a GaAlAs semiconductor diode laser with output at 805 nm.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the laser light is provided by a GaAlAs semiconductor diode laser with output at 805 nm and a nominal power output of 5 W.

20. A composition suitable for establishing hemostasis of bleeding tissue comprising:

a solid biodegrable polymeric material chosen from the group consisting of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) PLGA, poly(ε

caprolactone), polyortho esters, polyanhydrides or combinations thereof;

a weldable material impregnated on a solid biodegradable polymeric material; and

a chromophoric dye having a concentration gradient across the thickness of the biodegradable polymeric material.

21. The composition of claim 20, further comprising a chromophoric dye.