Biopolymer system for tissue sealing
OwnerJohn Abrahams, Weiliam Chen +1inventors
InventorsJohn Abrahams, Weiliam Chen, Peter Zahos
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Abstract
The invention provides a method of treating degenerative disc disease and discogenic pain by disposing a hydrogel tissue sealant within the intervertebral disc, where the hydrogel fills voids and tears in the annulus fibrosus and replaces leaked material from the nucleus pulposus. The hydrogel is formed in situ from a substantially liquid premix, which can be emplaced with a syringe needle or a catheter into the intervertebral disc, where it forms the hydrogel by gelation. The hydrogel can also include a therapeutic or a protective material, or a radiopaque or MRI-active agent to aid in visualization.
Claims33
A method of treatment of degenerative disc disease or of discogenic pain, comprising forming in situ within an intervertebral disc comprising a nucleus pulposus and an annulus fibrosus a biocompatible hydrogel, the hydrogel being formed by gelation of a substantially liquid premix, the hydrogel comprising an alkylated chitosan and an oxidized polysaccharide in an aqueous medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.