Polymer particles
Biodegradable, cross-linked polymer particle embolics and methods of making the same are described. The particle embolics can be used as embolization agents.
1. A polymer particle comprising:
at least one monomer including at least one functional group; and
at least one crosslinker having a structure
2. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the polymer particle has a diameter between about 40 μm and about 1,200 μm.
3. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the polymer particle has a diameter between about 75 μm and about 1,200 μm.
4. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one functional group is acrylate, acrylamide, methacrylate, or methacrylamide.
5. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer includes an ionizable functional group.
6. The polymer particle of claim 5 , wherein the ionizable functional group is basic.
7. The polymer particle of claim 5 , wherein the ionizable functional group is acidic.
8. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one crosslinker includes at least two functional groups.
9. The polymer particle of claim 1 , including a second crosslinker including a second linkage selected from an ester, a thioester, a carbonate, a peptide cleavable by matrix metalloproteinases, a peptide cleavable by matrix collagenases, a peptide cleavable by matrix elastases, and a peptide cleavable by matrix cathepsins.
10. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the polymer particle is biodegradable.
11. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the polymer particle is substantially degraded within about 1 week of implantation.
12. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer is dimethylacrylamide.
13. The polymer particle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer is acrylamide.
14. A method of making a polymer particle comprising:
reacting a prepolymer solution including at least one monomer including at least one functional group, at least one crosslinker having a structure
and an initiator in an oil; and
forming the polymer particle.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the polymer particle has a diameter between about 40 μm and about 1,200 μm.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the oil is mineral oil.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the initiator is azobisisobutyronitrile.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the at least one functional group is acrylate, acrylamide, methacrylate, or methacrylamide.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the polymer particle is biodegradable.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the polymer particle is substantially degraded within about 1 week of implantation.