Foam compositions, foam matrices and methods

1. A matrix comprising (i) a biomolecule selected from the group consisting of gelatin, collagen, elastin, and combinations thereof; (ii) a biocompatible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, poly-L-lysine, alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, pectin, cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and mixtures thereof; and (iii) an active agent; and wherein the biomolecule and biocompatible polymer are evenly distributed throughout the matrix; wherein the matrix is a dried, cross-linked foam; wherein the biomolecule is present at about 40% to about 80% (w/w) by the weight of said matrix; and wherein said matrix is non-lyophilized and has an absorption capacity of about 20 times to about 50 times a dry weight of the matrix.

2. The matrix of claim 1 , wherein the biomolecule is gelatin.

3. The matrix of claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible polymer is carboxymethylcellulose and is present in about 0.4% to about 25% (w/w) by the weight of the matrix.

4. The matrix of claim 1 having a pore size ranging from about 100 μm to about 750 μm, and/or a thickness of at least 1 mm.

5. The matrix of claim 1 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of an antimicrobial agent, an analgesic agent, an anti-adhesion compound, an anti-tumor drug, an anti-proliferative drug, a chelator and combinations thereof.

6. The matrix of claim 5 , wherein the antimicrobial agent is selected from the group consisting of chlorhexidine, octenidine, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, polyhexamethylene biguanide, copper, zinc, silver, chlorine, an active chlorine compound, fluoroquinolones, b-lactams, macrolides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, and combinations thereof.

7. The matrix of claim 5 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises silver ions derived from a silver salt selected from the group consisting of silver phosphate, silver sulfate, silver citrate, silver lactate, silver acetate, silver benzoate, silver chloride, silver carbonate, silver iodide, silver iodate, silver nitrate, silver laurate, silver sulfadiazine, silver palmitate, and mixtures thereof.

8. The matrix of claim 1 , wherein the matrix is cross-linked using a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide, N-hydroxysuccinimide and mixtures thereof in an amount of about 0.5% to about 5% (w/w).

9. The matrix of claim 1 , wherein the matrix is selected from the group consisting of a wound barrier, a wound dressing, a hemostatic dressing, a vascular wrap, a sponge, a gauze, a bandage, a film, a sheet, a tube and combinations thereof.

10. A method of treating a wound comprising applying the matrix of claim 1 to the wound.

11. A method for making the matrix of claim 1 , the method comprising:

foaming a composition comprising a biomolecule;

crosslinking the composition; and

drying the composition.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the biomolecule is selected from the group consisting of gelatin, elastin, collagen, and combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the crosslinking is carried out during or after the foaming step by using a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide, N-hydroxysuccinimide, and mixtures thereof.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one biocompatible polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, poly-L-lysine, alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, pectin, cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and mixtures thereof.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises an active agent.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the drying step comprises air-drying and excludes lyophilizing.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the air-drying is carried out at ambient pressure and temperature.

18. The matrix of claim 1 , wherein cross-linking is carried out while foaming the matrix.