Injectable hydrogel compositions
AssigneeReprogenesis, Inc.
InventorJeffrey A. Hubbell
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Abstract
Slowly polymerizing hydrogels are provided which are useful as a means of delivering large numbers of isolated cells via injection. The gels promote engraftment and provide three dimensional templates for new cell growth. The resulting tissue is similar in composition and histology to naturally occurring tissue. This method can be used for a variety of reconstructive procedures, including custom molding of cell implants to reconstruct three dimensional tissue defects, as well as implantation of tissues generally. The polymers permit construction of muscle and cartilage tissues which are useful to repair defects such as reflux and incontinence.
Claims17
A method for making and implanting a cell-hydrogel suspension into an animal comprising
- mixing dissociated cells with a solution comprising a biocompatible polymer capable of crosslinking to form a hydrogel to form a cell-polymer suspension, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of (a) modified hyaluronic acids, (b) synthetic modified alginates, (c) polymers which are covalently crosslinkable by a radical reaction and (d) polymers which gel by exposure to monovalent ions;
- implanting the suspension into the animal;
- and
- permitting the biocompatible polymer to crosslink and form a hydrogel matrix having the dissociated cells dispersed therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.