Bulking agents

• US 8,586,071 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2013
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Bourne, George, Madenjian, Arthur R., Rao, Doreen, Li, Jianmin, Madden, Michael, Buiser, Marcia, Rackley, Raymon, Gellman, Barry N.
• Primary Examiner(s): BARHAM, BETHANY P
• Application Number:
  US13/792,346
• Publication Number:
  US 20130190720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 424/423
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/765 Polymers containing oxygen
• 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 27/50 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1025 Connections between catheter tubes and inflation tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31 Details
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 13/02 of urine or of the urinary tract, e.g. urine acidifiers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 29/04 Polyvinyl alcohol; Partially hydrolysed homopolymers or copolymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids

Abstract

The invention relates to bulking agents and apparatus and methods for using the disclosed bulking agents. The bulking agents can be used to treat such conditions as urinary and fecal incontinence, gastro-esophageal reflux, aneurismal blockages, and cosmetic deformities. The invention also relates to an injection method that reduces the injection pressure required to place the bulking agents.

Claims

1. A method for bulking mammalian tissue comprising the steps of:

inserting an inflation device within a portion of a mammal;

inflating the inflation device to compress the mammalian tissue surrounding the inflated inflation device, thereby creating a void in the tissue;

deflating the inflation device;

removing the inflation device from the mammal; and

providing a bulking agent to fill at least partially the void.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

inserting a needle with a penetration device into the mammalian tissue;

removing the penetration device while retaining the inserted needle; and

advancing the inflation device through the needle.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflation device comprises a color for visualization.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflation device comprises at least one of a silicone, an ethylene vinyl alcohol, a polypropylene, a latex rubber, a polyurethane, a polyester, a nylon, and a thermoplastic rubber.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the inflation device comprises a shape selected from the group consisting of substantially round, oval, hemi spherical, spherical, and oblong.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the bulking agent comprises:

a carrier, and

a plurality of substantially spherical polyvinyl alcohol particles dispersed within the carrier, the carrier aiding delivery of the substantially spherical polyvinyl alcohol particles to a site to be bulked.