Resorbable polymer compositions for use in medicine, dentistry, and surgery
We describe the medical, dental, and surgical uses of modified poly(alkylene) materials which are fully resorbable after implantation into the body, and compositions formulated with such modified poly(alkylene) materials.
1. A flowable or malleable polymer composition in an essentially dry form, comprising:
(a) a poly(alkylene)-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymer and
(b) a poly(alkylene glycol) polymer or copolymer, which is prepared by blending together components (a) and (b) without the addition of water or other liquid.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(alkylene glycol) polymer or copolymer is a poly(propylene glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the poly(propylene glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer is a triblock copolymer having a poly(propylene glycol) block with a molecular mass in the range 300 and 10,000 g/mol, and two poly(ethylene glycol) blocks with a combined molecular mass in the range 300 to 10,000 g/mol.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein components (a) and (b) are biocompatible and substantially nontoxic.
5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein components (a) and (b) form a miscible blend.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the poly(alkylene)-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymer is a diblock copolymer comprised of a poly(alkylene) block containing from 40 to 500 carbon atoms and a poly(ethylene glycol) block containing from 3 to 300 ethylene glycol units, the copolymer as a whole having a molecular mass in the range of about 700 g/mol to about 20,000 g/mol.
7. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the poly(alkylene) block of the poly(alkylene)-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer is a poly(ethylene) block with a molecular mass in the range from about 500 to about 7,000 g/mol.
8. The composition of claim 7 , wherein the poly(alkylene glycol) polymer or copolymer is a poly(propylene glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer.
9. The composition of claim 8 , wherein the poly(propylene glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer is a triblock copolymer having a poly(propylene glycol) block with a molecular mass in the range 300 and 10,000 g/mol, and two poly(ethylene glycol) blocks with a combined molecular mass in the range 300 to 10,000 g/mol.
10. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition can adhere to bone, tooth, skin, mucous membranes or other body tissues.
11. A composition for use in medicine, dentistry, or surgery comprised of:
(a) at least one bioactive agent, medical/surgical device, or other therapeutic product and
(b) the polymer composition of claim 1 .
12. A method for medical, dental, or surgical treatment of a subject comprising:
(a) providing the polymer composition of claim 1 and
(b) administering said polymer composition to the subject as an adhesive, cohesive, filler, lubricant, or any combination thereof.
13. A composition for use in medicine, dentistry or surgery comprised of:
(a) at least one bioactive agent, medical/surgical device, or other therapeutic product and
(b) the polymer composition of claim 2 .
14. A method for medical, dental or surgical treatment of a subject comprising:
(a) providing the polymer composition of claim 2 and
(b) administering said polymer composition to the subject as an adhesive, cohesive, filler, lubricant, or any combination thereof.
15. A composition for use in medicine, dentistry or surgery comprised of:
(a) at least one bioactive agent, medical/surgical device, or other therapeutic product and
(b) the polymer composition of claim 8 .
16. A method for medical, dental or surgical treatment of a subject comprising:
(a) providing the polymer composition of claim 8 and
(b) administering said polymer composition to the subject as an adhesive, cohesive, filler, lubricant, or any combination thereof.
17. A composition for use in medicine, dentistry or surgery comprising:
(a) biocompatible, inert particles and
(b) the polymer composition of claim 1 , wherein said particles are bound together by said polymer composition.
18. The composition of claim 17 , wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of bone chips or powder, demineralized bone, hydroxyapatite, polyethylene, and any combination thereof.
19. The composition of claim 18 , wherein said particles occupy from 10% by volume to 64% by volume of said composition.
20. The composition of claim 17 , wherein said particles have a size from 35 microns to 500 microns.
21. A composition for use in medicine, dentistry or surgery comprising:
(a) biocompatible, inert particles and
(b) the polymer composition of claim 2 , wherein said particles are bound together by said polymer composition.
22. The composition of claim 21 , wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of bone chips or powder, demineralized bone, hydroxyapatite, polyethylene, and any combination thereof.
23. The composition of claim 22 , wherein said particles occupy from 10% by volume to 64% by volume of said composition.
24. The composition of claim 21 , wherein said particles have a size from 35 microns to 500 microns.
25. A composition for use in medicine, dentistry or surgery comprising:
(a) biocompatible, inert particles and
(b) the polymer composition of claim 8 , wherein said particles are bound together by said polymer composition.
26. The composition of claim 25 , wherein said particles are selected from the group consisting of bone chips or powder, demineralized bone, hydroxyapatite, polyethylene, and any combination thereof.
27. The composition of claim 26 , wherein said particles occupy from 10% by volume to 64% by volume of said composition.
28. The composition of claim 25 , wherein said particles have a size from 35 microns to 500 microns.
29. A composition for use in medicine, dentistry or surgery comprised of:
(a) at least one bioactive agent, medical/surgical device, or other therapeutic product and
(b) a flowable or malleable polymer composition comprising two or more poly(alkylene)-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymers having different melting points, such that at least one copolymer is a solid at about 37° C. and at least one other copolymer is a paste or liquid at about 37° C.
30. A method for medical, dental or surgical treatment of a subject comprising:
(a) providing a flowable or malleable polymer composition comprising two or more poly(alkylene)-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymers having different melting points, such that at least one copolymer is a solid at about 37° C. and at least one other copolymer is a paste or liquid at about 37° C. and
(b) administering said polymer composition to the subject as an adhesive, cohesive, filler, lubricant, or any combination thereof.