Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods to provide continuous and controlled release of therapeutic agent(s) during a procedure such as an interventional vascular procedure, e.g., to reduce acute and chronic complications and improve outcomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods to provide continuous and controlled release of therapeutic agent(s) during a procedure such as an interventional vascular procedure, e.g., to reduce acute and chronic complications and improve outcomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods to provide continuous and controlled release of therapeutic agent(s) during a procedure such as an interventional vascular procedure, e.g., to reduce acute and chronic complications and improve outcomes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention preferably provides for a method of forming and the resulting solid polymer gel composition comprising polyethylene imine and at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. The composition has a greater viscosity than either of the polyethylene imine or the hydrogen bonding polymer alone and is injectable immediately after mixing of the polyethylene imine and the at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. A method of tissue repair may include mixing about 9.25% (w/w) to about 13.65% (w/w) polyethylene imine and about 18.02% (w/w) to about 26.62% (w/w) polyvinyl alcohol to form an injectable composition; injecting the injectable composition into a cavity within a human body; and allowing the composition to solidify in situ. A kit may include a multi-barrel syringe at least one barrel is loaded with polyethylene imine and at least another barrel is loaded with at least one hydrogen bonding polymer.

Abstract: A method of forming and the resulting hydrogel composition comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) at a final concentration of about 20% (w/w) to about 65% (w/w) and polyethylene glycol at a final concentration of about 2% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w), wherein the hydrogel composition has a total polymer content, above about 30% (w/w), higher than the total polymer content of a precursor polymer solution formulated prior to the formulation of the hydrogel composition. The hydrogel composition may further comprise poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) at a final concentration of about 0.10% (w/w) to about 0.75% (w/w).

Abstract: An injectable hydrogel composition comprising: water; and poly(vinyl alcohol) chemically cross-linked with a second polymer to form a cross-linked resin, wherein the second polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyhydric alcohol compound, a polyvalent epoxy compound, a polyvalent amine compound, a dialdehyde compound, a diisocyanate compound, and mixtures thereof, wherein the cross-linked resin has a degree of cross-linking of from about 0.0001 mol/mL to about 0.002 mol/mL, and wherein the hydrogel is flowable when heated above its melting point.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition for repairing and/or augmenting an intervertebral disc. The bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition can be cross linked with the surrounding tissue so as to potentially serve as a nucleus pulposus replacement or augmentation along with serving to repair annular tears or fissure. The bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition may include three main components: a thermal responsive polymer, an amine-containing polymer and a crosslinking component. All three components can be modified and combined in numerous ways to serve the need of the system as long as the amine-containing component is kept separate from the crosslinking component until the components are injected. The incorporation of a two-part crosslinking thermal responsive hydrogel permits smaller amounts of the crosslinking component to be used and enables the crosslinking dialdehyde to be delivered locally into the tissue that will react with the hydrogel.

Abstract: A method of forming and the resulting bioadhesive hydrogel composition for repairing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc comprises at least a first component, a second component and a third component, wherein the first component, the second component and the third component are crosslinked. The first component comprises an amine-containing polymer component at a concentration from about 0.1% weight by weight to about 13.65% weight by weight. The second component comprises a hydrophilic polymer or pre-polymer component at a concentration from about 3% weight by weight to about 35% weight by weight. The third component comprises an aldehyde component at a concentration from about 0.1% weight by weight to about 30% weight by weight. A method of repairing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc comprises implanting the bioadhesive hydrogel composition in a patient.

Abstract: An injectable hydrogel composition comprising: water; and poly(vinyl alcohol) chemically cross-linked with a second polymer to form a cross-linked resin, wherein the second polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyhydric alcohol compound, a polyvalent epoxy compound, a polyvalent amine compound, a dialdehyde compound, a diisocyanate compound, and mixtures thereof, wherein the cross-linked resin has a degree of cross-linking of from about 0.0001 mol/mL to about 0.002 mol/mL, and wherein the hydrogel is flowable when heated above its melting point.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk is an expandable container having flexible walls, the container being adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk through a narrow cannula, and the flexible walls are made from a biocompatible hydrogel. A preferred hydrogel is a cryogel formed from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The prosthesis may be prepared by dip-coating a mandrel with an aqueous solution of a hydrogel-forming polymer or mixture of such polymers, gelling the coated solution by chilling, and subjecting the gelled coating to a series of repeated freeze-thaw treatments. In use, the prosthesis is inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk and filled with biocompatible material, e.g., a biocompatible liquid, a biocompatible polymer, and a biocompatible hydrogel, particularly a thermogelling hydrogel.

Abstract: Hydrogels comprising poly(N-alkylacrylamide), poly(alkyleneglyco)di-acrylate or methacrylate, cross-linking agent, a source of calcium ions, and water are described, as well as methods of their preparation and use.

Abstract: The present invention includes tailored fiber-reinforced hydrogel composites for implantation into a subject. The present invention also includes systems and methods for controlling the relative percent volume of the hydrogel and fibers, cross-linking, fiber orientation, weave and density, such that the material properties of the composite can be controlled and/or customized to match particular tissue types. The composites of the present invention are suitable for repairing or replacing musculoskeletal tissues and/or fibrocartilage, such as the meniscus, ligaments and tendons.

Abstract: A method of forming and the resulting hydrogel composition comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) at a final concentration of about 20% (w/w) to about 65% (w/w) and polyethylene glycol at a final concentration of about 2% (w/w) to about 20% (w/w), wherein the hydrogel composition has a total polymer content, above about 30% (w/w), higher than the total polymer content of a precursor polymer solution formulated prior to the formulation of the hydrogel composition. The hydrogel composition may further comprise poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) at a fmal concentration of about 0.10% (w/w) to about 0.75% (w/w).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an inflatable annulus repair device (10) for sealing an annulus defect located in an annulus fibrosis of an intervertebral disc space. In use, the inflatable device is introduced, in a first non-expanded state, preferably via a cannula (100) into the annulus defect. After the inflatable device has been properly positioned, a filler material (11) is injected into the inflatable device to expand the device to a second expanded state. In the second expanded state, the inflatable annulus repair device seals the annulus defect, secures its position within the annulus defect to thereby limit or prevent migration, and applies a compression force to a captured portion of the annulus adjacent to the defect. The inflatable device is preferably filled with a liquid that solidifies into an elastic material within the device.

Abstract: A method of forming and the resulting bioadhesive hydrogel composition for repairing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc comprises at least a first component, a second component and a third component, wherein the first component, the second component and the third component are crosslinked. The first component comprises an amine-containing polymer component at a concentration from about 0.1% weight by weight to about 13.65% weight by weight. The second component comprises a hydrophilic polymer or pre-polymer component at a concentration from about 3% weight by weight to about 35% weight by weight. The third component comprises an aldehyde component at a concentration from about 0.1% weight by weight to about 30% weight by weight. A method of repairing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc comprises implanting the bioadhesive hydrogel composition in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention preferably provides for a method of forming and the resulting solid polymer gel composition comprising polyethylene imine and at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. The composition has a greater viscosity than either of the polyethylene imine or the hydrogen bonding polymer alone and is injectable immediately after mixing of the polyethylene imine and the at least one hydrogen bonding polymer. A method of tissue repair may include mixing about 9.25% (w/w) to about 13.65% (w/w) polyethylene imine and about 18.02% (w/w) to about 26.62% (w/w) polyvinyl alcohol to form an injectable composition; injecting the injectable composition into a cavity within a human body; and allowing the composition to solidify in situ. A kit may include a multi-barrel syringe at least one barrel is loaded with polyethylene imine and at least another barrel is loaded with at least one hydrogen bonding polymer.

Abstract: A hydrogel coupling device for the transmission of ultrasound therethrough having a predetermined shape and comprising a hydrogen bonded composition comprising PVA, one or both of PVP and PEG, and the balance water. The predetermined shapes are formed and are then exposed to (a) one or more freeze/thaw cycles, (b) one or more dehydration/re-hydration cycles, or (c) one or more freeze/thaw cycles and one or more dehydration/re-hydration cycles. The shapes may further be irradiated with high energy radiation followed by heat treating.

Abstract: Thermogelling polymers are described containing poly (n-isopropyl acrylamide). Solutions of this polymer, copolymers or mixtures of the polymer with a second polymer such as poly(ethylene glycol), poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) or poly(vinyl alcohol) are liquids at room temperature and solids at body temperature. Thus, also provided are methods of implanting a hydrogel into a mammal by injecting the solution as a liquid at a temperature below body temperature into a selected site in the mammal at a temperature below body temperature, which then undergoes thermal phase transition to form a solid hydrogel in situ in the body as the implant warms to body temperature. Methods for using these thermal gelling materials in various applications including nucleus pulposus replacement/augmentation, wound care, disk replacement, cartilage replacement, joint replacement, surgical barriers, gastrointestinal devices, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, and breast enlargement are also provided.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacing or supplementing a nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disk is an expandable container having flexible walls, the container being adapted to be inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk through a narrow cannula, and the flexible walls are made from a biocompatible hydrogel. A preferred hydrogel is a cryogel formed from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone). The prosthesis may be prepared by dip-coating a mandrel with an aqueous solution of a hydrogel-forming polymer or mixture of such polymers, gelling the coated solution by chilling, and subjecting the gelled coating to a series of repeated freeze-thaw treatments. In use, the prosthesis is inserted into a central cavity of an intervertebral disk and filled with biocompatible material, e.g., a biocompatible liquid, a biocompatible polymer, and a biocompatible hydrogel, particularly a thermogelling hydrogel.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a semi-degradable polymeric composite drug delivery device for localized delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to be used in conjunction with total vertebral body replacement surgery that requires placement of a vertebral replacement cage for the treatment of a spinal neoplasm.