Abstract: A medical device which is a surgically implantable device coated with an adjunctive polymer system. The adjunctive polymer system forms a solid matrix when introduced into a human or animal body. The adjunctive polymer system can contain a drug or a medicament which is released over time from the solid matrix. The adjunctive polymer system contacts body tissue into which the surgically implantable device is implanted.

Abstract: A medical device which is a surgically implantable device coated with an adjunctive polymer system. The adjunctive polymer system forms a solid matrix when introduced into a human or animal body. The adjunctive polymer system can contain a drug or a medicament which is released over time from the solid matrix. The adjunctive polymer system contacts body tissue into which the surgically implantable device is implanted.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved system for controlled release of biologically active materials and to a liquid composition for its formation. The liquid composition is composed of a thermoplastic polymer, rate modifying agent, bioactive material and organic solvent. The liquid composition is capable of forming a biodegradable and/or bioerodible microporous, solid polymer matrix. The matrix is useful as an implant in patients (humans and animals) for delivery of biologically active substances to tissues or organs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a biodegradable implant precursor having a two-part structure made of an outer sac and a liquid content. The implant precursor is composed of a biodegradable, water-coagulable thermoplastic polymer and a water-miscible organic solvent. When administered to an implant site in an animal, the implant precursor will solidify in situ to a solid, microporous matrix by dissipation of the organic solvent to surrounding tissue fluids and coagulation of the polymer. The invention also includes methods of making the implant precursor, an apparatus for forming the precursor, and a kit containing the apparatus. Also provided are methods of using the implant precursor for treating a tissue defect in an animal, for example, for enhancing cell growth and tissue regeneration, wound and organ repair, nerve regeneration, soft and hard tissue regeneration, and the like, for delivery of biologically-active substances to tissue or organs, and other like therapies.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a biodegradable film dressing with or without additional therapeutic agents, an apparatus for spray delivery and a method for formation of the film dressing on a human or animal tissue. The film dressing is formed from a liquid composition of at least one biodegradable/bioerodible thermoplastic polymer in a pharmaceutically acceptable solvent. The spray apparatus includes a vessel containing the liquid composition with a dispensing means. The film is formed by dispensing, preferably by spraying, the liquid composition onto a tissue site and contacting the liquid composition with an aqueous based fluid to coagulate or solidify the film onto the human or animal tissue. The biodegradable film can be used to protect and to promote healing of injured tissue and/or to deliver biologically active agents.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition composed of a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer which is capable of forming a biodegradable and/or bioerodible microporous, solid or gelatinous polymer matrix. The matrix is useful as an implant in animals for enhancing regeneration of cells and tissue, such as bone and nerve cells, or for delivery of biologically-active substances to tissue or organs. The composition is administered to an implant site as a liquid. The invention also includes a method of preventing and treating disorders and diseases, such as bone or nerve growth disorders, or of altering body functions such as birth control, using the compositions and implants of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a biodegradable implant precursor having a two-part structure made of an outer sac and a liquid content. The implant precursor is composed of a biodegradable, water-coagulable thermoplastic polymer and a water-miscible organic solvent. When administered to an implant site in an animal, the implant precursor will solidify in situ to a solid, microporous matrix by dissipation of the organic solvent to surrounding tissue fluids and coagulation of the polymer. The invention also includes methods of making the implant precursor, an apparatus for forming the precursor, and a kit containing the apparatus. Also provided are methods of using the implant precursor for treating a tissue defect in an animal, for example, for enhancing cell growth and tissue regeneration, wound and organ repair, nerve regeneration, soft and hard tissue regeneration, and the like, for delivery of biologically-active substances to tissue or organs, and other like therapies.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition of a free amine benzophenanthridine alkaloid and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is disclosed. The composition is an antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Abstract: Methods are described for assisting the restoration of periodontal tissue in a periodontal pocket and for retarding migration of epithelial cells along the root surface of a tooth. The methods involve placement of an in-situ forming biodegradable barrier adjacent the surface of a tooth. The barrier is microporous and includes pores of defined size. The barrier can include a biologically active agent.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A polymeric controlled delivery system is provided for use in treating periodontal disease. The delivery system in a variety of forms is placed directly in the infected gingival tissue where the chemotherapeutic agent is slowly released into the tissue and into the infected periodontal pocket by means of the gingival crevicular fluid originating in the gingival tissue.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a composition composed of a thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer which is capable of forming a biodegradable and/or bioerodible microporous, solid or gelatinous polymer matrix. The matrix is useful as an implant in animals for enhancing regeneration of cells and tissue, such as bone and nerve cells, or for delivery of biologically-active substances to tissue or organs. The composition is administered to an implant site as a liquid. The invention also includes a method of preventing and treating disorders and diseases, such as bone or nerve growth disorders, or of altering body functions such as birth control, using the compositions and implants of the invention.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is provided for use in providing syringeable, in-situ forming, solid biodegradable implants for animals. The polymer is placed into the animal in liquid form and cures to form the implant in-situ. A thermoplastic system to form said implant comprises the steps of dissolving a non-reactive polymer in biocompatible solvent to form a liquid, placing the liquid within the animal, and allowing the solvent to dissipate to produce the implant. An alternative, thermosetting system comprises mixing together effective amounts of a liquid acrylic ester terminated, biodegradable prepolymer and a curing agent, placing the liquid mixture within an animal and allowing the prepolymer to cure to form the implant. Both systems provide a syringeable, solid biodegradable delivery system by the addition of an effective level of biologically active agent to the liquid before injection into the body.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition of a free amine benzophenanthridine alkaloid and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is disclosed. The composition is an antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Abstract: An improved method of producing a reservoir device having a rate-controlling membrane and zero-order (constant) release of an agent is provided. A core is sprayed with a solution having a polymer and a solvent, the solvent having a first component which is a rapidly evaporating, low-boiling-point first solvent and a slowly evaporating, high-boiling-point second solvent.

Abstract: Methods are described for assisting the restoration of periodontal tissue in a periodontal pocket and for retarding migration of epithelial cells along the root surface of a tooth. The methods involve placement of an in-situ forming biodegradable barrier adjacent the surface of a tooth. The barrier is microporous and includes pores of defined size. The barrier can include a biologically active agent.

Abstract: Biodegradable polyamides, useful as absorbable sutures and as controlled release binder materials, are prepared by condensing 4,4'-spirobibutyrolactone with a primary diamine, optionally in the presence of a nylon salt, leading to homopolymers containing lactam structural units, or to random copolymers.

Abstract: A muscosal delivery system is provided for use in treating periodontal disease. The system is composed of a chemotherapeutic agent dissolved in a skin-penetration enhancer. The solution of chemotherapeutic agent and skin-penetration enhancer is placed into the periodontal pocket where the agent is transported into the surrounding gingival tissue by means of the penetration enhancer.

Abstract: Biodegradable polyamides, useful as absorable sutures and as controlled release binder materials, are prepared by condensing 4,4'-spirobibutyrolactone with a primary diamine, optionally in the presence of a nylon salt, leading to homopolymers containing lactam structural units, or to random copolymers.