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AssigneesC. R. Bard, Inc., Lehigh University
InventorsJohn W. Vanderhoff, Cheng Xun Lu, Clarence C. Lee, Chi-Chun Tsai
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The invention is a process for the preparation of crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles. First, an aqueous polymer solution containing a water-soluble polymer having at least one functional group or charge, is combined with aqueous medium. The aqueous polymer solution is then mixed under moderate agitation with an oil medium and an emulsifier to form an emulsion of droplets of the water-soluble polymer. A crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the functional groups and/or charges in the water-soluble polymer is then added to the emulsion to form crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles. The invention also includes the particles formed by the process and aqueous dispersions containing the particles which are useful for administering to an individual. The particles of the invention are useful for implantation, soft tissue augmentation, and scaffolding to promote cell growth.
A method of soft tissue augmentation comprising administering to a patient in need of soft tissue augmentation an aqueous dispersion of crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles in an amount to effectively augment the affected tissue of the patient, wherein the particles are substantially homogeneous in size, wherein the particles are between about 10 micrometers in diameter and about 250 micrometers in diameter, and wherein at least 80% of the particles are spherical.
A method of promoting tissue growth comprising administering to a patient in need of tissue growth an aqueous dispersion of crosslinked water-swellable polymer particles in an amount which provides a scaffold sufficient to promote tissue growth in the patient, wherein the particles are substantially homogeneous in size, wherein the particles are between about 10 micrometers in diameter and about 250 micrometers in diameter, and wherein at least 80% of the particles are spherical.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.