Lung Volume Reduction Therapy Using Crosslinked Biopolymers
One aspect of the present invention relates to bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using solutions of biopolymers that can be polymerized in situ with a crosslinker and a polymeric additive which accelerates the cross-linking reaction. In certain embodiments, the biopolymer solutions can be in the form of a foam or gel. The biopolymer compositions disclosed herein may also be used for indications other than lung volume reduction, such as sealing fistulas or performing emergency tamponade of vessels.
1 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . A method of sealing a bronchopleural fistula in a patient, comprising the steps of administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a biopolymer, a cross-linker, and a polymeric additive; wherein said polymeric additive accelerates a cross-linking reaction between the biopolymer and the cross-linker, thereby sealing the fistula.
28 . A method of achieving pleurodesis in a patient, comprising the steps of administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a biopolymer, a cross-linker, and a polymeric additive; wherein said polymeric additive accelerates a cross-linking reaction between the biopolymer and the cross-linker.
29 . A method of sealing an air leak in a lung, comprising
administering to a lung of a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a biopolymer, a and cross-linker, and a polymeric additive, thereby sealing the air leak in the lung.
30 . A method of attaching a first tissue to a second tissue of a patient in need thereof comprising, applying to said first tissue or said second tissue or both an effective amount of a composition comprising a biopolymer, a cross-linker, and a polymeric additive, thereby attaching said first tissue to said second tissue.
31 . A method of achieving hemostasis, comprising
applying to a blood vessel of a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a biopolymer, a cross-linker, and a polymeric additive, thereby achieving hemostasis.
32 . A method of administering emergency tamponade to a bleeding vessel in a patient, comprising:
administering to a bleeding vessel of a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a biopolymer, a and cross-linker, and a polymeric additive, thereby sealing the vessel.
33 . A method of administering emergency tamponade to a gastrointestinal vessel in a patient, comprising:
administering to a gastrointestinal vessel of a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a biopolymer, a and cross-linker, and a polymeric additive, thereby sealing the vessel.
34 . A method of administering emergency tamponade to an internal organ in a patient, comprising:
administering to an internal organ of a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a biopolymer, a cross-linker, and a polymeric additive, thereby preventing the organ from bleeding.