2363 results about "Biodegradable polymer" patented technology

Composite materials formed from biocompatible polymer fibers and biodegradable polymers are disclosed. The heat treatment conditions for the reinforcing fibers are described so that the mechanical properties of the fibers can be retained during composite consolidation process. The processing conditions and set-ups to consolidations are constrained to the temperatures lower than fiber heat treatment temperatures. The reinforcing fibers are restrained under tension so that the minimum relaxation occurs during consolidation process.

This invention provides a sustained-release preparation comprising a biodegradable polymer metal salt and broactive polypeptide, with enhanced entrapment of the bioactive polypeptides, a suppression of initial burst, and a constant long-term release of the bioactive polypeptides.

A method of producing sustained-release microcapsules which comprises dispersing a physiologically active polypeptide into a solution of a biodegradable polymer and zinc oxide in an organic solvent, followed by removing the organic solvent; which provides a sustained-release preparation showing a high entrapment ratio of the physiologically active polypeptide and its constant high blood concentration levels over a long period of time.

The present invention relates to a molecular sustained controlled release system constructed by the conjugation of molecules to be released with biodegradable polyester polymer via covalent bond and method for preparation thereof. In accordance with the present invention, the system may be formulated into microspheres, nanoparticles, or films. The molecular release rate from the above system can be regulated to be proportional to the chemical degradation rate of the biodegradable polyester polymers, resulting in near zero order kinetics profile of release without showing a burst effect, Moreover, a high loading efficiency of hydrophilic drugs can be achieved.

Blends of biodegradable polymers, preferably poly(caprolactone) and poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic) acid are discussed as well as their applications in the medical field, particularly with regard to bone tissue engineering. Preferably, hydroxyapatite ("HA") granules are incorporated into the blends and the resulting blends have desirable mechanical, physical, and biological characteristics. Even more preferably the compositions of the present invention are utilized to form osteoconductive composites that supported bone cell growth on the surface as well as throughout the scaffold.

An implantable medical device is disclosed. The device is fabricated at least in part from a biocompatible, biodegradable composition. The composition is composed of a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer and a biocompatible, biodegradable wax. The concentration of the wax at the surface of the device is greater than the concentration of the wax in the body of the implantable device. The increased concentration of wax at the device surface may be attained when the device is heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of the wax and the glass transition temperature of the polymer, but lower than melting point of the polymer.

Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for laminate coatings, wraps and other packaging materials manufactured from at least one "hard" biopolymer and at least one "soft" biopolymer. "Hard" biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C. "Soft" biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. While hard and soft polymers each possess certain intrinsic benefits, certain blends of hard and soft polymers have been discovered which possess synergistic properties superior to those of either hard or soft polymers by themselves. Biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyesteramides and thermoplastically processable starch. The polymer blends may optionally include an inorganic filler. Films and sheets made from the polymer blends may be textured so as to increase the bulk hand feel. Wraps will typically be manufactured so as to have good "dead-fold" properties so as to remain in a wrapped position and not spring back to an "unwrapped" and planar form. Laminate films will typically have good water vapor barrier properties as measured by the their Water Vapor Permeability Coefficient (WVPC).

The present invention is directed to microparticles, to microparticle compositions containing the same, to methods of forming the same, and to uses for the same, including use for a vaccine, for raising an immune response, for treatment of a disease and for diagnosis of a disease. The microparticles comprise a biodegradable polymer, such as a poly(α-hydroxy acid), a polyhydroxy butyric acid, a polycaprolactone, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, or a polycyanoacrylate, and a detergent selected from a cationic detergent and an anionic detergent. The microparticles further comprise an antigen adsorbed on the surface of the microparticle.

An insert-molded suture anchor has a biodegradable polymer body molded around a loop of suture. A tapered end disposed on the proximal end of the body is received into a recess in the distal end of a hand driver. Anchoring ribs are formed along the remaining length of the anchor. The suture is held securely within the anchor body during the insert molding process. The anchor is produced by placing the braided suture within an injection mold, and injecting biodegradable polymer into the mold. Using a preferred plication driver, the suture anchor can be utilized for capsular plication procedures.

Improved aerodynamically light particles for drug delivery to the pulmonary system, and methods for their synthesis and administration are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the aerodynamically light particles are made of a biodegradable material and have a tap density less than 0.4 g / cm3 and a mass mean diameter between 5 mum and 30 mum. The particles may be formed of biodegradable materials such as biodegradable polymers. For example, the particles may be formed of a functionalized polyester graft copolymer consisting of a linear alpha-hydroxy-acid polyester backbone having at least one amino acid group incorporated therein and at least one poly(amino acid) side chain extending from an amino acid group in the polyester backbone. In one embodiment, aerodynamically light particles having a large mean diameter, for example greater than 5 mum, can be used for enhanced delivery of a therapeutic agent to the alveolar region of the lung. The aerodynamically light particles incorporating a therapeutic agent may be effectively aerosolized for administration to the respiratory tract to permit systemic or local delivery of wide variety of therapeutic agents.

The invention relates to a biodegradable implant or the like manufactured of polymer-based material and intended to be installed in tissue conditions. In the macroscopic structure of the implant two or several zones are created in a manner that the biodegradable polymer-based material has in different zones a different detaching time from the macroscopic structure under tissue conditions.

The present invention provides bioactive polymer compositions that can be formulated to release a wound healing agent at a controlled rate by adjusting the various components of the composition. The composition can be used in an external wound dressing, as a polymer implant for delivery of the wound healing agent to an internal body site, or as a coating on the surface of an implantable surgical device to deliver wound healing agents that are covalently attached to a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer and / or embedded within a hydrogel. Methods of using the invention bioactive polymer compositions to promote natural healing of wounds, especially chronic wounds, are also provided. Examples of biodegradable copolymer polyesters useful in forming the blood-compatible, hydrophilic layer or coating include copolyester amides, copolyester urethanes, glycolide-lactide copolymers, glycolide-caprolactone copolymers, poly-3-hydroxy butyrate-valerate copolymers, and copolymers of the cyclic diester monomer, 3-(S)[(alkyloxycarbonyl)methyl]-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione, with L-lactide. The glycolide-lactide copolymers include poly(glycolide-L-lactide) copolymers formed utilizing a monomer mole ratio of glycolic acid to L-lactic acid ranging from 5:95 to 95:5 and preferably a monomer mole ratio of glycolic acid to L-lactic acid ranging from 45:65 to 95:5. The glycolide-caprolactone copolymers include glycolide and ε-caprolactone block copolymer, e.g., Monocryl or Poliglecaprone.

The present invention relates generally to the utilization of in situ polymers or copolymers to form a porous microcellular scaffold for the delivery, attachment, housing, protection, multiplication and growth of encapsulated cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to cells delivered using such a scaffold to augment, repair or replace in vivo diseased, damaged or otherwise compromised tissues or organs of a living body.

This invention relates to a blend of biodegradable polymers comprising: (A) about 5% to about 95% by weight of at least one flexible biodegradable polymer (A) having a glass transition less than about 0° C., (B) about 5% to about 95% by weight of at least one rigid biodegradable polymer (B) having a glass transition greater than about 10° C., and (C) about 0.25 to about 10 weight % of at least one compatibilizer (C), said percentages being based on the total weight of the polymer blend; where the polymer blend has a higher zero shear melt viscosity than polymers (A) and (B) separately.

The present invention relates to medical prostheses and methods of manufacturing those devices. In particular, the prostheses are temporarily stiffened meshes with particular coatings to provide initial stiffness and thereby permit easier surgical handling for treatment or reconstruction of soft tissue defects. Preferred embodiments include surgical meshes coated with one or more biodegradable polymers that can act as a stiffening agent by coating the filaments or fibers of the mesh to temporarily immobilize the contact points of those filaments or fibers and / or by increasing the stiffness of the mesh by at least 1.1 times its original stiffness. The devices of the invention can also provide relief from various post-operative complications associated with their implantation, insertion or surgical use. By including biologically active agents and / or drugs in the coating, the devices provide prophylaxis for and can alleviate side effects or complications associated with the surgery or use of prostheses in general.

The invention relates to a process for the production of morphologically uniform microcapsules that contain peptides, proteins or other water-soluble biologically active substances as active ingredients as well as microcapsules that are produced according to this process with a degree of concentration of between 3 to 30% by weight and a diameter<=8 mum.According to the invention, biodegradable polymers are dissolved in a halogen-free solvent or solvent mixture, and the buffered active ingredient solution, which has a pH of between 6.0 to 8.0, is dispersed into this solution. Then, an aqueous solution that contains a surface-active substance (W / O / W-emulsion) is added to this W / O-emulsion, and the solvent is removed.The microcapsules that are produced with this process do not show any tendency toward agglomeration. The encapsulation efficiency of the process is approximately 90 to 95%.

Biodegradable polymer compositions that degrade in vivo into non-toxic residues are described. In part, the present invention is directed to such polymers containing phosphorus and desaminotyrosyl L-tyrosine linkages in the polymer backbone. Processes for preparing such polymers, compositions containing such polymers and biologically active substances, articles useful for implantation or injection into the body fabricated from the compositions, and methods for controllably releasing biologically active substances using the polymers, are also described.

The present invention provides biodegradable polymer particle delivery compositions for delivery of macromolecular biologics, for example in crystal form, based on polymers, such as polyester amide (PEA), polyester urethane (PEUR), and polyester urea (PEU) polymers, which contain amino acids in the polymer. The polymer particle delivery compositions can be formulated either as a liquid dispersion or a lyophilized powder of polymer particles containing bound water molecules with the macromolecular biologics, for example insulin, dispersed in the particles. Bioactive agents, such as drugs, polypeptides, and polynucleotides can also be delivered by using particles sized for local, oral, mucosal or circulatory delivery. Methods of delivering a macromolecular biologic with substantial native activity to a subject, for example orally, are also included.

Poly(β-amino esters) prepared from the conjugate addition of bis(secondary amines) or primary amines to a bis(acrylate ester) are described. Methods of preparing these polymers from commercially available starting materials are also provided. These tertiary amine-containing polymers are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the poly(amine) nature of these polymers, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Nanoparticles containing polymer / polynucleotide complexes have been prepared. The inventive polymers may also be used to encapsulate other agents to be delivered. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings. A system for preparing and screening polymers in parallel using semi-automated robotic fluid delivery systems is also provided.

An endovascular cellular manipulation and inflammatory response are elicited from implantation in a vascular compartment or any intraluminal location of a separable coil comprised at least in part of at least one biocompatible and absorbable polymer or protein and growth factors. Typically a catheter associated with the separable coil is used to dispose the coil into a selected body lumen. The biocompatible and absorbable polymer or protein is thrombogenic. The coil further is comprised at least in part of a growth factor or more particularly a vascular endothelial growth factor, a basic fibroblast growth factor or other growth factors. The biocompatible and absorbable polymer is in the illustrated embodiment at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid, poly~glycolic acid poly-L-lactic acid copolymers, polycaprolactive, polyhydroxybutyrate / hydroxyvalerate copolymers, poly-L-lactide. Polydioxanone, polycarbonates, and polyanhydrides. The biocompatible and absorbable protein is at least one protein selected from the group consisting of collagen, fibrinogen, fibronectin, vitronectin, laminin, and gelatin. In one embodiment the coil is composed of the biocompatible and absorbable polymer or protein with a radio-opaque material is disposed thereon. Alternatively, the coil is composed of a radio-opaque material, and the biocompatible and absorbable polymer or protein is disposed thereon. This apparatus may be positioned within intracranial aneurysms or any aneurysm in the body as well as within other body cavities.

A biodegradable, flexible covering for a breast implant is provided which comprises one or more biodegradable polymer layers dimensioned and shaped to cover at least a portion of the breast implant. The implant can be inserted into an opening of the covering immediately prior to surgery, but alternate configurations and times of insertion are contemplated as well as open or sheet type devices. The coverings can optionally contain one or more drugs for delivery at the surgical site, particularly for treating or preventing infection, pain, inflammation, capsular contracture, scarring or other complications associated with breast augmentation or breast reconstruction.

The invention relates to a hyaluronan and biodegradable high polymer modified material and a preparation method, in particular to a method for complex crosslinking and grafting of the hyaluronan and a derivative thereof with a biodegradable high polymer with active functional groups through a crosslinking agent. The method comprises the steps of taking the hyaluronan and the biodegradable high polymer as raw materials, conducting complex crosslinking or grafting reaction of a hyaluronan aqueous solution and at least one biodegradable high polymer solution with the presence of the crosslinking agent, and removing a solvent. According to the method, plural gel, an amphiphilic polymer, a graft polymer, a star polymer and a microsphere can be prepared. The method has the advantages that the reaction condition is simple, the utilization ratio of the crosslinking agent is high, the residual quantity of the crosslinking agent is small, and the gel is higher in thermostability and good in biological compatibility. The method is applicable to the fields of cosmetics, tissue filling and repair, biological stents, ophthalmonogy, sustained-release delivery and targeted drug delivery and the like, and has a wider application prospect.

A process for preparing a chewing gum wherein all of the gum base components and all of the chewing gum additives are charged, in any appropriate order, into a mixing apparatus and the apparatus operated at atmospheric pressure to obtain the chewing gum, subject to the limitation that the gum base does not contain a vinyl polyester as the sole polymer. In certain embodiments, the gum base comprises at least one environmentally or biodegradable polymer such as a polyester, a polycarbonates, a polyester amide, a polypeptide and a protein.

Methods and compositions are disclosed for the preparation of free radical scavenging polymers and polymer films functionalized with antioxidants. Enzymatic and chemical tailoring of monomers with antioxidants followed by enzymatic polymerization is described. These antioxidant functionalized polymers can increase shelf life and quality of food products, as well as, increase effectiveness of pharmaceutical agents when used as packaging or as coatings on packaging for oxygen sensitive materials. The novel enzymatic covalent coupling of antioxidants to a polymer enhances the free radical scavenging ability of packaging while also inhibiting the escape of the antioxidants, and thus limiting exposure and / or absorption by an individual. In addition to its use in food or pharmaceutical packaging, methods are disclosed for using the antioxidant coupled polymers in a variety of applications including as coatings on the inside of medical devices, such as stents and catheters, which would substantially reduce free radical damage and / or oxygen depletion during medical procedures. Furthermore, through the coupling of antioxidants to biodegradable polymers, controlled delivery and sustained release of an antioxidant to a subject is possible.