Biodegradable polymer composition
AssigneeAtrix Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsRichard L. Dunn, Arthur J. Tipton, George L. Southard, Jack A. Rogers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention is directed to a composition composed of a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer which is capable of forming a biodegradable and/or bioerodible microporous, solid or gelatinous polymer matrix. The matrix is useful as an implant in animals for enhancing regeneration of cells and tissue, such as bone and nerve cells, or for delivery of biologically-active substances to tissue or organs. The composition is administered to an implant site as a liquid. The invention also includes a method of preventing and treating disorders and diseases, such as bone or nerve growth disorders, or of altering body functions such as birth control, using the compositions and implants of the invention.
Claims26
A composition suitable for forming an in situ solid implant in an animal, comprising:
- a liquid formulation of a biodegradable, bioerodible, biocompatible thermoplastic polymer that is insoluble in aqueous or body fluid, and a biocompatible organic solvent that is miscible or dispersible in aqueous or body fluid and dissolves the thermoplastic polymer, the composition being capable of coagulating or solidifying to form a solid or gelatinous microporous matrix upon its contact with aqueous or body fluid, the matrix being a core surrounded by a skin, the core containing pores of diameters from about 1 to about 1000 microns, and the skin containing pores of smaller diameters than those of the core pores.
A method of forming an implant suitable for providing a biological, therapeutic or physiological effect in an animal, comprising:
- administering to the animal a composition in an amount effective to form in situ a solid implant, the composition being a liquid formulation of a biodegradable, bioerodable, biocompatible thermoplastic polymer that is insoluble in aqueous or body fluid, and a biocompatible organic solvent that is miscible or dispersible in aqueous or body fluid and dissolves the thermoplastic polymer, and the composition undergoing coagulation or solidification of the polymer and dispersion of the solvent into body fluid to form a solid or gelatinous microporous matrix, the matrix being a core surrounded by a skin, the core containing pores of diameters from about 1 to 1000 microns and the skin containing pores of small diameters than those of the core pores.
A composition suitable for forming an in situ solid implant in an animal, comprising:
- a liquid formulation of a biodegradable, bioerodable, biocompatible thermoplastic polymer that is insoluble in aqueous or body fluid, a biocompatible organic solvent that is miscible or dispersible in aqueous or body fluid and dissolves the thermoplastic polymer, and a pore-forming agent, the composition being capable of coagulating or solidifying to form a solid or gelatinous microporous matrix upon its contact with an aqueous or body fluid, the matrix being a core surrounded by a skin, and the skin and core containing pores within the same range of diameters, that range being from about 1 to about 1000 microns.
A composition suitable for forming an in situ solid implant in an animal, comprising:
- a liquid formulation of a biodegradable, bioerodable, biocompatible thermoset polymer that is insoluble in aqueous or body fluid, and an agent selected from the group consisting of a pore-forming agent, a biocompatible organic solvent that is miscible or dispersible in aqueous or body fluid and a releasible, pore-forming moiety within the thermoset polymer;
- the composition being capable of forming a solid microporous matrix, the matrix being a core surrounded by a skin and the core containing pores of diameters from about 1 to about 1000 microns.
A method of forming an implant suitable for providing a biological, therapeutic or physiological effect in an animal, comprising:
- administering to the animal a composition in an amount effective to form in situ a solid implant, the composition being a liquid formulation of a biodegradable, bioerodable, biocompatible thermoset polymer that is insoluble in aqueous or body fluid, and an agent selected from the group consisting of a pore-forming agent, a biocompatible organic solvent that is miscible or dispersible in aqueous or body fluid and a releasible, pore-forming moiety within the thermoset polymer;
- and the composition undergoing curing to form a microporous matrix, the matrix being a core surrounded by a skin and the core containing pores of diameters from about 1 to 1000 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.