Methods and compositions for the treatment of open and closed wound spinal cord injuries
Devices and methods for the treatment of open and closed wound spinal cord injuries are disclosed. For example, described herein are devices and methods for mitigating secondary injury to, and promoting recovery of, spinal cord primary injuries. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to polymeric mini-tubes that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. In addition, other embodiments are directed to polymeric “fill-in” bandages that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. For example, an erodible, or biodegradable, form of biocompatible polymer of the present invention is fabricated for surgical implantation into the site of the spinal cord injury.
1. A device for implanting within a patient's spinal cord comprising a single layer polymer scaffold comprising (1) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and (2) a block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the (1) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) has an average molecular weight of between about Mn 20,000 and 50,000.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the (1) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) has an average molecular weight of about Mn 40,000.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold comprises a (1) 50:50 blend of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and a (2) block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the (2) block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine comprises a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) block having an average molecular weight of between about Mn 20,000 and 50,000; and a polylysine block having an average molecular weight of between about Mn 1,000 and about 3,000.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the (2) block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine comprises a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) block having an average molecular weight of about Mn 40,000 and a polylysine block having an average molecular weight of about Mn 2,000.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold degrades in vivo in about 30 to about 60 days.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is a cylinder.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is moldable.
10. The device of claim 8 , wherein the scaffold has an overall diameter of between about 0.1 microns and 10 millimeters.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the scaffold has an overall diameter of between about 1 millimeter and 6 millimeters.
12. The device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more medicinal agents deposited onto the scaffold.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the one or more medicinal agents are selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory agents, growth factors and stem cells.
14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the stem cells are selected from the group consisting of neuronal stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the scaffold is biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable.
16. A device for implanting within a patient's spinal cord comprising a single layer polymer scaffold of (1) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and (2) a block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine.
17. A method for treating a spinal cord injury, comprising implanting into a lesioned area of the spinal cord a device comprising a single layer polymer scaffold comprising (1) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and (2) a block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)- polylysine.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the(1) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) has an average molecular weight of between about Mn 20,000 and 50,000.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the scaffold comprises a (1) 50:50 blend of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and a (2) block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the (2) block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine comprises a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) block having an average molecular weight of between about Mn 20,000 and 50,000; and a polylysine block having an average molecular weight of between about Mn 1,000 and about 3,000.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the (2) block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine comprises a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) block having an average molecular weight of about Mn 40,000 and a polylysine block having an average molecular weight of about Mn 2,000.
22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the scaffold degrades in vivo in about 30 to about 60 days.
23. The method of claim 17 , wherein the scaffold is a cylinder.
24. The method of claim 17 , wherein the scaffold is moldable.
25. The method of claim 23 , wherein the scaffold has an overall diameter of between about 0.1 microns and 10 millimeters.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the scaffold has an overall diameter of between about 1 millimeter and 6 millimeters.
27. The method of claim 17 , further comprising one or more medicinal agents deposited onto the scaffold.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein the one or more medicinal agents are selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory agents, growth factors and stem cells.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein the stem cells are selected from the group consisting of neuronal stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells.
30. A kit comprising for treating a spinal cord injury comprising in one or more containers a device for implanting within a patient's spinal cord comprising a single layer porous polymer scaffold comprising (1) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and (2) a block copolymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polylysine.
31. The method of claim 18 , wherein the(1) poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) has an average molecular weight of about Mn 40,000.