Biodegradable in-situ forming implants and methods of producing the same

A pharmaceutical composition for forming a solid or coagulated biodegradable implant in-situ within a body, comprising a liquid solution of a non-reactive, biocompatible, pharmaceutically acceptable, thermoplastic linear polymer that is water-insoluble and a pharmaceutically acceptable biocompatible solvent that is water-soluble, wherein the concentrations and formulas of said polymer and said solvent in said solution are effective to form said implant in situ when said solution contacts body fluid;

• and wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of polylactides, polyglycolides, polycaprolactones, polydioxannones, polycarbonates, polyhydroxybutyrates, polyalkyene oxalates, polyanhydrides, polyamides, polyesteramides, polyurethanes, polyacetals, polyketals, polyorthocarbonates, polyphosphazenes, polyhydroxyvalerates, polyalkylene succinates, poly(malic acid), poly(amino acids), chitin, chitosan, polyorthoesters, and copolymers, terpolymers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

A pharmaceutical kit suitable for in situ formation of a biodegradable implant in a body, which comprises:

• A) a solution of a biodegradable, biocompatible, pharmaceutically acceptable thermoplastic polymer that is water-insoluble and a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent that is water-soluble, wherein the concentrations and formulas of the polymer and the solvent in the solution are effective to form an implant in situ when said solution contacts body fluid and wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting essentially of polylactides, polyglycolides, polycaprolactones, polydioxannones, polycarbonates, polyhydroxybutyrates, polyalkyene oxalates, polyanhydrides, polyamides, polyesteramides, polyurethanes, polyacetals, polyketals, polyorthocarbonates, polyphosphazenes, polyhydroxyvalerates, polyalkylene succinates, poly(malic acid), poly(amino acids), chitin, chitosan, polyorthoesters, and copolymers, terpolymers and combinations and mixtures thereof;
• and,
• B) a device containing said solution, said device having an outlet for the solution, an ejector for expelling the solution through the outlet and a hollow tube fitted to the outlet for inserting the solution into a site of the body such that the solution can form an implant in situ at said site.

A pharmaceutical kit suitable for in-situ formation of a biodegradable implant in a body, which comprises:

• A) a solution of a biocompatible, pharmaceutically acceptable thermoplastic polymer that is water-insoluble and is biodegradable by a simple or enzymatically catalyzed hydrolysis, and a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent that is water-soluble, wherein the concentrations and formulas of the polymer and the solvent in the solution are effective to form an implant in-situ when said solution contacts body fluid;
• and,
• B) a device containing said solution, said device having an outlet for the solution, an ejector for expelling the solution through the outlet and a hollow tube fitted to the outlet for inserting the solution into a site of the body such that the solution can form an implant in-situ at said site.