Biodegradable elastomeric patch for treating cardiac or cardiovascular conditions
Provided herein is a biodegradable elastomeric patch that can be implanted on a heart or other portions of the cardiovascular system to repair tissue deficiencies or tissue damage. The biodegradable elastomeric patch may be engineered to have mechanical properties similar to that of soft tissue and to provide mechanical support to the damaged tissue. The biodegradable elastomeric patch also may comprise therapeutic agents to aid in the healing process. Methods also are provided for using a biodegradable elastomeric patch for treating patients suffering from tissue damage or tissue deficiencies in the cardiac or cardiovascular system.
1. A method for treating a myocardial infarct in a heart, comprising affixing a sterilized, cell-free, biodegradable, elastomeric patch to a surface of the heart to cover the infarct, thereby improving growth of muscle cells at the infarct, wherein said biodegradable elastomeric patch comprises a polymer composition comprising one or both of a poly(ester urethane) urea elastomer or a poly(ether ester urethane) urea elastomer.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the infarct is in a left ventricular region of a heart.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer comprises a diamine chain extender.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the diamine is putrescine.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the diamine is lysine ethyl ester.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer comprises a polycaprolactone.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the elastomer comprises a triblock copolymer comprising polycaprolactone.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the elastomer comprises a polycaprolactone-b-polyethylene glycol-b-polycaprolactone triblock copolymer.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer composition is functionalized with an adhesion-promoting peptide.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the adhesion-promoting peptide comprises RGD.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer composition has a porosity of at least 85%.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer comprises an isocyanate derivative, a polycaprolactone diol, and a diamine chain extender.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the ratio of isocyanate derivative:polycaprolactone diol:diamine chain extender is 2:1:1.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer comprises an isocyanate derivative, a triblock copolymer comprising polycaprolactone, and a diamine chain extender.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the ratio of isocyanate derivative:triblock copolymer:diamine chain extender is 2:1:1.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patch comprises a therapeutic agent.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the therapeutic agent is one or more of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pleiotrophin protein, midkine protein, anti-inflammatories, and anti-clotting agents.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the therapeutic agent is covalently linked to a polymer in the polymer composition and is released during degradation of the patch.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the therapeutic agent is putrescine that is covalently linked to the polymer.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable elastomeric patch is produced by electrospinning.
21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable elastomeric patch is produced by thermally induced phase separation.
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable elastomeric patch is produced by solvent casting/salt leaching.
23. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable, elastomeric patch is replaced by native tissue.
24. The method of claim 1 , wherein the patch is mechanically supportive to the heart.