Abstract: A dispensing device having a polymer which is combined with a therapeutic agent in the form of a microparticle or nanoparticle which is “hyper-compressed” to form a controlled release dispensing device and methods of locally administering a therapeutic agent using said microparticles.

Abstract: A dispensing device having a polymer which is combined with a therapeutic agent in the form of a microparticle which is compressed to form a controlled release dispensing device and methods of locally administering a therapeutic agent using said microparticles.

Abstract: A biocompatible adherent sheet for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The biocompatible adherent sheet includes a carrier sheet including a biocompatible polymer and a modified chitosan evenly disposed on one or both sides of the carrier sheet. Methods of preparing a biocompatible adherent sheet and methods of using a biocompatible adherent sheet are also provided. The biocompatible adherent sheet may also include a bioactive agent.

Abstract: An ophthalmic dispensing device having a polymer which is combined with an ophthalmic therapeutic agent in the form of a microparticle which is hypercompressed to form a controlled release dispensing device for ophthalmic use.

Abstract: A formulation is provided for treatment or prevention of neural ischemic damage, or for treatment of stroke, hemorrhage, trauma, epilepsy, tumor, or any disease of the brain, the formulation comprising a mixture of a substantially solid, substantially water-insoluble, biocompatible, polymeric material, and a gap junction inhibitor such as carbenoxolone. The polymeric material may comprise a synthetic polymer such as EVA, for example in the physical form of a fiber, or a natural polymer such as a chitosan derivative, for example in the physical form of a hydrogel, disposed on or in a medical device such as a stent, which is implanted within the tissue of the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating degenerative disc disease and discogenic pain by disposing a hydrogel tissue sealant within the intervertebral disc, where the hydrogel fills voids and tears in the annulus fibrosus and replaces leaked material from the nucleus pulposus. The hydrogel is formed in situ from a substantially liquid premix, which can be emplaced with a syringe needle or a catheter into the intervertebral disc, where it forms the hydrogel by gelation. The hydrogel can also include a therapeutic or a protective material, or a radiopaque or MRI-active agent to aid in visualization.

Abstract: A cosmetic formulation containing an alkylated chitosan derivative, a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide, and water, for moisturizing and/or softening skin is provided. The formulation is in the physical state of a viscous liquid or a gel, and when applied to skin, serves to moisturize and soften the skin. One embodiment of the formulation comprises PEG-chitosan and hyaluronic acid at a pH of about 3.5 to about 5.5. The formulation may be applied to skin as a bulk composition, on a towel or wipe, or in the form of a facial foam mask.

Abstract: A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises alkylated chitosan or a gelatin, and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide, in an aqueous medium. The premix can also include a dehydrating reagent, a carboxyl activating reagent, or both. A specific use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: A tissue sealant for use in surgical and medical procedures for sealing the tissues of a living mammal is provided. The tissue sealant comprises a hydrogel which is formed by gelation of a premix disposed on the tissue to be sealed. The premix comprises an alkylated chitosan, a polybasic carboxylic acid, a dehydrating reagent, and a carboxyl activating reagent in an aqueous medium. A preferred use of the tissue sealant is in the repair of the dura mater after brain surgery to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue sealant may include a therapeutic or protective agent such as an antibiotic or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition and a therapeutic method are provided for occlusion of a vascular site. The vascular site may be within a blood vessel or a lymph duct, and may include an aneurysm or an arteriovenous malformation, or may be in a normal section of the vessel or duct. A composition comprises an alkylated chitosan and a polybasic carboxylic acid or an oxidized polysaccharide in an aqueous medium. Another composition comprises a gelatin and an oxidized polysaccharide in an aqueous medium The composition is in the form of a substantially liquid sol immediately upon mixing, and gels or solidifies in situ in the vascular site. The method comprises introducing the composition as a sol into the interior of the vascular site, as with a catheter, wherein it gels in situ. The composition may further include a bioactive agent or a radiopaque agent or both.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition and a method are provided for occlusion of a vascular site. The vascular site may be within a blood vessel or a lymph duct, and may include an aneurysm, an arteriovenous malformation. The composition comprises an acrylated chitosan dissolved in an aqueous medium. The composition is preferably a flowable liquid at a pH of about 6-6.5, and gels or solidifies in situ in the vascular site at a physiological pH of about 6.9-7.4. The method comprises introducing the composition to the interior of the vascular site, as with a catheter. The composition may further include a bioactive agent or intact cells, or a radiopaque agent.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition and method for preparing a biomedical device capable of delivering pharmaceutical or biomedical materials from a PEG-g-chitosan matrix. By combining a PEG-g-chitosan and a water insoluble polymer in a nonaqueous solvent, a matrix is obtained which can be used as a delivery vehicle for pharmaceuticals and biomedical materials.

Abstract: A microsphere composition comprising materials which include substances which provide increased safety and bioavailability of nucleic acids when used in gene therapy applications. The microspheres of the present invention include hyaluronic acid which has been derivatized with a dihydrazide, preferably adipic dihydrazide, which is crosslinked to a nucleic acid. These microspheres are useful in gene therapy applications for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions, such as myocardial ischemia. In the treatment of myocardial ischemia, the microspheres of the invention include the VEGF gene. When cardiac cells are transfected with VEGF, angiogenesis in cardiac tissue is a result. Angiogenesis in cardiac tissue is likely to provide a therapeutic effect in the treatment of myocardial ischemia in that blocked or damaged blood vessels may be bypassed by newly grown blood vessels.

Abstract: The present invention provides bioconjugates comprising substances which provide increased safety and bioavailability of nucleic acids when used in gene therapy applications. The dihydrazide derivatized hyaluronic acid/nucleic acid compositions of the present invention include hyaluronic acid which has been derivatized with a dihydrazide, preferably adipic dihydrazide, which is crosslinked to a nucleic acid. These compositions may be included in microsphere, film, wafer, matrix, hydrogel, gel and sol formulations. These bioconjugates are useful in gene therapy applications for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions including dry eye syndrome or other medical conditions wherein an increase in the production of hyaluronic acid in the eye would be therapeutic. Further, there may be other medical conditions which could benefit from increased production of hyaluronan, such as osteoarthritis of the articular joints.