Threads of Hyaluronic acid and/or derivatives thereof, methods of making thereof and uses thereof
The present invention provides threads of hyaluronic acid, and/or derivatives thereof, methods of making thereof and uses thereof, for example, in aesthetic applications (e.g., dermal fillers), surgery (sutures), drug delivery, etc.
1. A dried thread comprised of (i) cross linked hyaluronic acid or a salt(s) thereof, wherein the cross linked hyaluronic acid has been cross linked with butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), and (ii) non-cross linked hyaluronic acid or a salt(s) thereof.
2. The thread of claim 1 , further comprising a needle, and wherein the dried thread includes an end attached to the needle.
3. The thread of claim 1 , wherein the dried thread has a diameter of between about 0.0001 and about 0.020 in.
4. The thread of claim 1 , wherein the degree of cross linking between the hyaluronic acid or salt thereof and the cross linking agent is between about 0.01% and about 20%.
5. The thread of claim 1 , wherein the dried thread has sufficient mechanical strength for dermal implantation.
6. The thread of claim 1 , wherein the dried thread will fail at a tensile force of between about 0.1 lbs and about 5 lbs.
7. The thread of claim 1 , wherein the dried thread has an ultimate tensile strength of between about 1 kpsi and about 125 kpsi.
8. The thread of claim 1 wherein the thread is swellable when hydrated.
9. A dermal filler comprising the thread of claim 1 .
10. A method of treating a wrinkle comprising implanting in a subject in need thereof the thread of claim 1 beneath the wrinkle.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the method comprises attaching the thread to a needle; inserting the distal end of the needle through the skin surface of the subject into the dermis of the subject adjacent to the wrinkle; traversing the dermis of the subject under the wrinkle with the needle; forcing the needle through the skin surface of the subject; and cutting the thread from the needle at the skin surface of the subject.
12. A dried thread comprised of crosslinked hyaluronic acid or a salt(s) thereof, wherein the cross linked hyaluronic acid has been cross linked with butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE).
13. A dried thread comprised of crosslinked hyaluronic acid or a salt(s) thereof, wherein the crosslinked hyaluronic acid consists essentially of hyaluronic acid that has been crosslinked with butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE).
14. A dried thread comprised of cross linked hyaluronic acid or a salt(s) thereof, wherein the cross linked hyaluronic acid has been cross linked with butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE);
wherein the thread is a single strand thread; and
wherein the thread is capable of being hydrated, and when hydrated will swell in diameter by about 25% and about 100%.
15. The thread of claim 14 wherein the degree of crosslinking is between about 0.1% and about 10%.
16. The thread of claim 15 wherein the degree of crosslinking is between about 1% and about 8%.
17. The thread of claim 14 wherein the thread persists in vivo between 1 and 9 months after implantation in the dermis.