Dissolvable nasal sinus sponge

1. An article comprising a water-absorbent, porous, dissolvable sponge derived from a polysaccharide consisting of a mixture of chitosan, a first cellulosic polysaccharide, and a second cellulosic polysaccharide, wherein the first cellulosic polysaccharide and the second cellulosic polysaccharide are distinct from chitosan, and the first cellulosic polysaccharide and the second cellulosic polysaccharide have different number average molecular weight characteristics to enable control of mechanical features of the dissolvable sponge and provide a sponge that is hydratable, has stenting capability to hold open an anatomical location and exhibits a wet compression strength and 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.

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 both of a wet compression strength or a dry compression strength of at least 100 grams according to the Compression Test.

6. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge when partially hydrated possesses an antibacterial effectiveness from 24 hours through 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 article further comprises, agar, alginate, carrageenan, chondroitin sulfate, dextran, galactomannan, glycogen, hyaluronic acid, starch or a combination thereof.

8. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the first cellulosic polysaccharide, the second cellulosic polysaccharide, or both comprise hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, or carboxymethyl cellulose.

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

10. The article according to claim 1 , wherein the dissolvable sponge is an anatomical stent or a nasal stent.

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 , wherein the dissolvable sponge is degraded by mechanical dissolution or chemical dissolution.

15. 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.

16. The article according to claim 15 , 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.

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

18. 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.

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

20. A method comprising:

(a) mixing a polysaccharide consisting of chitosan, a first cellulosic polysaccharide and a second cellulosic polysaccharide to form a solution, wherein the first cellulosic polysaccharide and the second cellulosic polysaccharide are distinct from chitosan, the first cellulosic polysaccharide and the second cellulosic polysaccharide have different number average molecular weight characteristics, and the solution has a viscosity of at least 0.05 Pa/s at 225 1/s and at 25° C.,

(b) freezing the solution, and

(c) lyophilizing the frozen solution to form a water-absorbent, porous, dissolvable sponge, wherein the first cellulosic polysaccharide and the second cellulosic polysaccharide have different number average molecular weight characteristics to enable control of mechanical features of the dissolvable sponge and provide a sponge that is hydratable, has stenting capability to hold open an anatomical location and exhibits a wet compression strength and 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.

21. The method according to claim 20 , wherein the solution has a solids content of 0.5% by weight or greater.

22. The method according to claim 20 , further comprising adjusting the pH of the solution to a pH in the range of about 4 to about 6 prior to freezing.

23. The method according to claim 20 , wherein the first cellulosic polysaccharide and the second cellulosic polysaccharide comprise hydroxyethyl cellulose.

24. The method according to claim 20 , further comprising packaging the sponge in a sealed package, and sterilizing the sponge in the package using ionizing radiation.

25. The method according to claim 24 , wherein the ionizing radiation comprises gamma radiation, ultraviolet light, X-rays or E-Beam radiation.

26. The method according to claim 24 , further comprising removing the sponge from the package and hydrating the sponge to form a pliable sponge that is mucoadhesive.

27. The method according to claim 26 , wherein the sponge exhibits a mucoadhesive force of at least 20 grams or greater according to the Adhesive Force Test.

28. A method for treating mucosal tissue comprising applying the dissolvable sponge of claim 1 to the mucosal tissue.