Abstract: A method for alleviating the symptoms of a cosmetic or dermatologic skin condition is described. An effective amount of a poly(hydroxy acid)/polymer conjugate in a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable vehicle is provided. Topical compositions of the conjugates with another cosmetic or dermatological agent, and compounds of the conjugates having attached physiologically active functional groups, are also provided.

Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, the system is compliant, in that it is capable of conforming to the three dimensional structure of a tissue surface as the tissue bends and deforms during healing processes. The barrier or drug delivery systems is formed as a polymeric coating on tissue surfaces by applied a polymerizable monomer to the surface, and then polymerizing the monomer. The polymerized compliant coating preferably is biodegradable and biocompatible, and can be designed with selected properties of compliancy and elasticity for different surgical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Gel-forming macromers including at least four polymeric blocks, at least two of which are hydrophobic and at least one of which is hydrophilic, and including a crosslinkable group are provided. The macromers can be covalently crosslinked to form a gel on a tissue surface in vivo. The gels formed from the macromers have a combination of properties including thermosensitivity and lipophilicity, and are useful in a variety of medical applications including drug delivery and tissue coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding polymeric structures in vivo is disclosed. The structures comprise polymers that may be heated to their molding temperature by absorption of visible or near-visible wavelengths of light. By providing a light source that produces radiation of the wavelength absorbed by the polymeric material, the material may be selectively heated and shaped in vivo without a corresponding heating of adjacent tissues or fluids to unacceptable levels. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a shaping element positioned near its distal end. An emitter provided with light from at least one optical fiber is positioned within the shaping element. The emitter serves to provide a moldable polymeric article positioned on the shaping element with a substantially uniform light field, thereby allowing the article to be heated and molded at a desired treatment site in a body lumen.

Abstract: Water-soluble macromers including at least one hydrolysable linkage formed from carbonate or dioxanone groups, at least one water-soluble polymeric block, and at least one polymerizable group, and methods of preparation and use thereof are described. The macromers are preferably polymerized using free radical initiators under the influence of long wavelength ultraviolet light or visible light excitation. Biodegradation occurs at the linkages within the extension oligomers and results in fragments which are non-toxic and easily removed from the body. The macromers can be used to encapsulate cells, deliver prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agents in a controlled manner, plug leaks in tissue, prevent adhesion formation after surgical procedures, temporarily protect or separate tissue surfaces, and adhere or seal tissues together.

Abstract: A method of controlling hemostasis by applying a hemostatic agent in a tissue sealant composition. The tissue sealant is a biodegradable, biocompatible synthetic polymer that may not intrinsically possess strong hemostatic properties. Inclusion of a hemostatic material in the tissue sealant can control bleeding at the site and may also provide improved adherence of the sealant to tissue and provide shorter healing times.

Abstract: This invention describes methods and devices for stabilizing and retracting tissue during surgery, in particular internal tissue. Patches of material, preferably biodegradable, are adhered to tissue surfaces. By manipulation of the patches, for example directly with forceps, or via sutures attached to the patches, tissues can be retracted or otherwise manipulated with minimal trauma to the tissues. The method is especially useful in minimally-invasive surgery.

Abstract: An impoved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitiator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as "priming". the polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, "priming" can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other.

Abstract: Water-soluble macromers including at least one hydrolysable linkage formed from carbonate or dioxanone groups, at least one water-soluble polymeric block, and at least one polymerizable group, and methods of preparation and use thereof are described. The macromers are preferably polymerized using free radical initiators under the influence of long wavelength ultraviolet light or visible light excitation. Biodegradation occurs at the linkages within the extension oligomers and results in fragments which are non-toxic and easily removed from the body. The macromers can be used to encapsulate cells, deliver prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agents in a controlled manner, plug leaks in tissue, prevent adhesion formation after surgical procedures, temporarily protect or separate tissue surfaces, and adhere or seal tissues together.

Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, the system is compliant, in that it is capable of conforming to the three dimensional structure of a tissue surface as the tissue bends and deforms during healing processes. The barrier or drug delivery systems is formed as a polymeric coating on tissue surfaces by applied a polymerizable monomer to the surface, and then polymerizing the monomer. The polymerized compliant coating preferably is biodegradable and biocompatible, and can be designed with selected properties of compliancy and elasticity for different surgical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying to a surface of mammalian tissue including soft, living tissue an initially fluent material and then activating the material by exposure to an energy source. The material may be a liquid capable of polymerization to a non-fluent state by exposure to actinic light. The device, and methods that may be practised in association with the device, enable a wide range of medical conditions to be treated including, for example, the application of a barrier to soft tissue to prevent post-surgical adhesions.

Abstract: An optical fiber device includes a polymeric optical fiber having a proximal end for coupling to a source of light, and a diffusing region. The polymeric optical fiber includes a core and a cladding around the core. The diffusing region includes a length of the polymeric optical fiber in which the cladding is partially removed to expose the core and in which the exposed core and the remaining cladding have a roughened surface for outwardly diffusing light carried through the polymeric optical fiber. The diffusing region is preferably formed by abrasion, for example by directing a particle jet at the optical fiber while rotating and translating the optical fiber with respect to the particle jet. The particle jet may include microscopic glass beads which roughen the optical fiber core. The density of scattering sites may be varied along the length of the diffusing region to produce a desired light output pattern.

Abstract: Locally deposited polymer depots are used as a vehicle for the immobilization and local delivery of a radionuclide or radiopharmaceutical. Radionuclides are incorporated in their elemental forms, as inorganic compounds, or are attached to a larger molecule or incorporated into the polymer, by physical or chemical methods. Ancillary structure may be employed to control the rate of release. Standard radionuclides which have been used for local radiotherapy may be used, such as radionuclides of iodine, iridium, radium, cesium, yttrium or other elements.

Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, the system is compliant, in that it is capable of conforming to the three dimensional structure of a tissue surface as the tissue bends and deforms during healing processes. The barrier or drug delivery systems is formed as a polymeric coating on tissue surfaces by applied a polymerizable monomer to the surface, and then polymerizing the monomer. The polymerized compliant coating preferably is biodegradable and biocompatible, and can be designed with selected properties of compliancy and elasticity for different surgical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Delivery of bioactive molecules such as nucleic acid molecules encoding a protein can be significantly enhanced by immobilization of the bioactive molecule in a polymeric material adjacent to the cells where delivery is desired, where the bioactive molecule is encapsulated in a vehicle such as liposomes which facilitates transfer of the bioactive molecules into the targeted tissue. Targeting of the bioactive molecules can also be achieved by selection of an encapsulating medium of an appropriate size whereby the medium serves to deliver the molecules to a particular target. For example, encapsulation of nucleic acid molecules or biologically active proteins within biodegradable, biocompatible polymeric microparticles which are appropriate sized to infiltrate, but remain trapped within, the capillary beds and alveoli of the lungs can be used for targeted delivery to these regions of the body following administration to a patient by infusion or injection.

Abstract: A method for alleviating the symptoms of a cosmetic or dermatologic skin condition is described. An effective amount of a poly(hydroxy acid)/polymer conjugate in a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable vehicle is provided. Topical compositions of the conjugates with another cosmetic or dermatological agent, and compounds of the conjugates having attached physiologically active functional groups, are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding polymeric structures in vivo is disclosed. The structures comprise polymers that may be heated to their molding temperature by absorption of visible or near-visible wavelengths of light. By providing a light source that produces radiation of the wavelength absorbed by the polymeric material, the material may be selectively heated and shaped in vivo without a corresponding heating of adjacent tissues or fluids to unacceptable levels. The apparatus comprises a catheter having a shaping element positioned near its distal end. An emitter provided with light from at least one optical fiber is positioned within the shaping element. The emitter serves to provide a moldable polymeric article positioned on the shaping element with a substantially uniform light field, thereby allowing the article to be heated and molded at a desired treatment site in a body lumen.

Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. The barrier can be prepared by staining tissue with a photoinitiator, applying a solution containing a polymerizable barrier material solution and a photoinitiator to the tissue, and polymerizing the polymer solution on exposure to light. The resulting polymer adheres strongly to the tissue surface, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. The method can be used to adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other. Tissue surfaces can be adhered to each other to repair wounds. In addition to photochemical initiators, non-photochemical initiators and combinations of chemical initiators and photochemical initiators can be used.

Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, tissue is stained with a photoinitiator, then the polymer solution or gel having added thereto a defined amount of the same or a different photoinitator is applied to the tissue. On exposure to light, the resulting system polymerizes at the surface, giving excellent adherence, and also forms a gel in the rest of the applied volume. Thus a gel barrier of arbitrary thickness can be applied to a surface while maintaining high adherence at the interface. This process is referred to herein as "priming". The polymerizable barrier materials are highly useful for sealing tissue surfaces and junctions against leaks of fluids. In another embodiment, "priming" can be used to reliably adhere preformed barriers to tissue or other surfaces, or to adhere tissue surfaces to each other.

Abstract: SOD and other active oxygen inhibitors are directly applied in combination with a barrier material at local sites of tissue injury to prevent or decrease formation of adhesions and undesirable proliferation of cells. Preferred barrier materials are polymeric hydrogels providing controlled release of AOI which are directly applied to the afflicted tissue. Examples demonstrate the effects of SOD on pelvic adhesions in the rat when administered by intraperitoneal (I.P.) bolus and by localized sustained release from a topically applied hydrogel system.