System for forming a biocompatible foam using polymerizable alpha(1-4)glucopyranose polymers and gas-producing component

1. A system for forming a biocompatible biodegradable foam comprising:

a) a first covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose and pendent free-radically polymerizable groups, wherein the poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose is maltodextrin;

b) a second covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising an alkylene oxide polymer comprising pendent polymerizable groups;

c) a polymerization initiator; and

d) a gas-producing component comprising a bicarbonate salt and a biocompatible acid.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the polymerizable groups are pendent from the poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose in an amount in the range of 0.05 mmol/gram to 0.4 mmol/gram (polymerizable groups/poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose).

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the polymerizable groups are pendent from the poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose in an amount in the range of 0.1 mmol/gram to about 0.35 mmol/gram (polymerizable groups/poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose).

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose has a molecular weight of 500,000 Da or less.

5. The system of claim 1 having a ratio of the first covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose to the second covalently crosslinkable polymer in the range of 1:1 to 3:1 by weight.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the polymerization initiator comprises a peroxide-based initiator.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a poloxamer surfactant.

8. The system of claim 1 comprising a first liquid composition in which the covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose is present at a concentration in the range of 200 mg/mL to 1000 mg/mL.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose is present at a concentration in the range of 400 mg/mL to 700 mg/mL.

10. The system of claim 1 comprising a first liquid composition comprising a first member of a redox pair at a concentration in the range of 2.0 mM to 25 mM.

11. The system of claim 1 comprising a first liquid composition comprising the biocompatible acid at a concentration in the range of 20 mg/mL to 80 mg/mL.

12. The system of claim 1 comprising a second liquid composition comprising a second member of a redox pair at a concentration in the range of 2.0 mM to 25 mM.

13. The system of claim 1 comprising a second liquid composition comprising the bicarbonate salt at a concentration in the range of 20 mg/mL to 80 mg/mL.

14. The system of claim 1 comprising a second liquid composition including the second covalently crosslinkable polymer at a concentration in the range of 100 mg/mL to 500 mg/mL.

15. The system of claim 1 comprising a first liquid composition comprising ferrous lactate at a concentration in the range of 4 mM to 30 mM, citric acid at a concentration in the range of 60 mg/mL to 120 mg/mL, and the covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose and pendent polymerizable groups at a concentration in the range of 500 mg/mL to 700 mg/mL, and a second liquid composition comprising hydrogen peroxide at a concentration in the range of 4 mM to 30 mM, potassium bicarbonate at a concentration in the range of 60 mg/mL to 120 mg/mL, and the second covalently crosslinkable polymer at a concentration in the range of 350 mg/mL to 550 mg/mL.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the pendent free radically polymerizable groups are selected from the group consisting of acrylate, methacrylate, ethacrylate, 2-phenyl acrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, itaconate groups, and styrene.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the polymerization initiator comprises an activating component that is a Fe 2+ -based activator.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the polymerization initiator comprises an activating component selected from the group consisting of ferrous gluconate, ferrous ascorbate, ferrous acetylacetonate, and ferrous lactate.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein the system comprises an aqueous liquid, and the first and second covalently crosslinkable polymers, the polymerization initiator, and the gas-producing component are dissolvable in the aqueous liquid.

20. A system for forming a biocompatible biodegradable foam comprising:

a) a first covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising a linear poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose having a molecular weight of 500,000 Da or less and comprising pendent free radically polymerizable groups;

b) a second covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising an alkylene oxide polymer comprising pendent polymerizable groups;

c) a Fe 2+ -based activator;

d) a biocompatible acid; and

e) a bicarbonate salt.

21. A system for forming a biocompatible biodegradable foam comprising:

a) a first covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose and pendent free-radically polymerizable groups;

b) a second covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising an alkylene oxide polymer comprising pendent polymerizable groups;

c) a polymerization initiator; and

d) a water-soluble gas-producing component comprising a bicarbonate salt and a biocompatible acid;

wherein the first and second covalently crosslinkable polymers, polymerization initiator, and gas-producing component are dissolvable in a physiologically compatible aqueous composition having a pH in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.5.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the water-soluble gas-producing component is present in an amount sufficient to cause formation of pores in the biocompatible biodegradable foam when combined with the polymer and polymerization initiator.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the first covalently crosslinkable polymer comprising poly-α(1→4)glucopyranose has a molecular weight of 500,000 Da or less.