Active agent-eluting hemostatic agents for prevention of surgical site infection

A method of manufacturing an active agent-eluting hemostatic agent consisting of:

• (a) preparing a solution of gelatin consisting essentially of gelatin type B and a buffer wherein the gelatin is present in the solution at about 2 wt. %;
• (b) isolating a portion of the gelatin solution wherein the isolated portion has a carboxyl group concentration of about 20 mM;
• (c) incubating and mixing at least one active agent, having at least one amine or carboxylate group in its structure, and a crosslinking agent with the isolated carboxyl group concentration for between about 1 hour to about 24 hours to allow complete crosslinking to form a product;
• (d) precipitating the product of step (c) subsequent to the complete crosslinking;
• (e) centrifuging the product of step (d),
• (f) subsequently washing the product from step (e) in sodium chloride;
• (h) drying and heating the product of step (g) to form the active agent-eluting hemostatic agent;
• and
• (i) subsequently adding an amount of phosphate buffered saline to the product to achieve a paste-like consistency;
• wherein the product is a macroscopic product having a compact, non-spherical, glassy layered morphology;
• wherein the macroscopic product is not a powder;
• wherein the at least one active agent is an anesthetic, an antimicrobial or combinations thereof.