Dissolvable nasal sinus sponge

1. An article comprising a dissolvable sponge derived from a mixture of polysaccharides selected from chitosan, a first polysaccharide, and a second polysaccharide, wherein the first polysaccharide and the second polysaccharide are distinct from chitosan, and the first polysaccharide and the second polysaccharide have different number average molecular weight characteristics such that the dissolvable sponge is hydratable, has stenting capability to hold open an anatomical location, and exhibits a wet compression strength or a dry compression strength of at least 20 grams according to the Compression Test, and a dissolution rate of greater than or equal to 1 day according to the Dissolution Test, wherein the dissolvable sponge is degradable by mechanical dissolution or chemical dissolution.

2. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge when partially hydrated is mucoadhesive.

3. The article according to claim 2 , wherein the dissolvable sponge exhibits a mucoadhesive force of 20 grams or greater according to the Adhesive Force Test.

4. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge begins to dissolve upon hydration.

5. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge exhibits one or more of a wet compression strength or a dry compression strength of at least 100 grams according to the Compression Test, or a dissolution rate of greater than or equal to 1 day according to the Dissolution Test.

6. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge when partially hydrated possesses an antibacterial effectiveness from 24 hours to over 14 days with at least a log reduction of 4 according to the Log Reduction Test.

7. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the first polysaccharide, the second polysaccharide, or both comprise cellulose, agar, alginate, carrageenan, chitin, chondroitin sulfate, dextran, galactomannan, glycogen, hyaluronic acid, starch or a combination thereof.

8. The article according to claim 7 , wherein the cellulose comprises hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, or carboxymethyl cellulose.

9. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the first polysaccharide and the second polysaccharide comprise hydroxyethyl cellulose.

10. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge is a nasal sponge employed for holding open a nasal passage.

11. The article according to claim 10 , wherein the nasal stent prevents adhesion of tissue in the sinus cavity.

12. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the chitosan is chitosan hydrochloride.

13. The article according to claim 12 , wherein the dissolvable sponge is antimicrobial.

14. The article according to claim 1 , further comprising an adjuvant selected from the group consisting of non-aqueous solvents, acids, bases, buffering agents, antimicrobial agents and therapeutic agents.

15. The article according to claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the therapeutic agent is present in the dissolvable sponge over time until the dissolvable sponge exhibits no compressive strength, as determined in accordance with the Dissolution and Compression Test.

16. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge is sterilized by ionizing radiation.

17. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge exhibits one or more of a complete hydration in water under 30 seconds, or a fluid absorption of greater than 10 times its initial dry weight in accordance with the Fluid Absorption Test.

18. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the sponge possesses a pH value in the range of about 4 to about 6.