Life Medical Sciences, Inc.

Synthemed, Inc.

Avraham Levi

Daniel Cohn

Theodor Stern

The present invention relates to novel bioabsorbable polymeric compositions based upon AB polyester polyether or related diblocks and triblocks. Compositions according to the present invention may be used in medical applications, for example, for reducing or preventing adhesion formation subsequent to medical procedures such as surgery, for producing surgical articles including stents and grafts, as coatings, sealants, lubricants, as transient barriers in the body, for materials which control the release of bioactive agents in the body, for wound and burn dressings and producing biodegradable articles, among numerous others.

Polymeric compositions

The present invention relates to novel polymeric compositions based upon A(BCB)Apolyester/polyether multi-blocks. Compositions according to the present invention exhibit unexpectedly exceptional reverse thermal gellation properties and in certain cases, relatively low viscosities at approximately room temperature and extremely high viscosities at temperatures above room temperature (preferably at approximately physiological or body temperature, i.e., within a temperature range of about 32-40&#xb0; C.). Compositions according to the present invention may be used advantageously in applications which make use of their reverse thermal gellation properties. Preferred applications for use of the present compositions include, for example, medical applications which make advantageous use of the inherent composition characteristic of being of relatively low viscosity at room temperature and much higher viscosity at elevated temperatures, especially body temperature.

Reverse thermal gellation polymer of chain-extended optional polyester-terminated PEO-PPO-PEO

A composition exhibiting reverse thermal gellation properties comprises a block polymer having the structure:{[A(BCB)A]}wherein A is a polyester unit, B is a poly(ethylene oxide) unit, C is a poly(propylene oxide) unit, E is a chain extender unit, n=0-20, and m is greater than 2. The ethylene oxide:propylene oxide ratio ranges from about 0.2:1 to about 40:1. The composition has a final viscosity at a final temperature of more than twice the initial viscosity at an initial temperature wherein the final temperature is at least 10&#xb0; C. higher than the initial temperature. The composition is combined with either a cellular material for tissue engineering, a cellular material for effecting repair or healing in a patient, or a bioactive agent.

Chain-extended peo/ppo/peo block copolymer, optionally with polyester blocks, combined with cellular or bioactive material

Chain-extended or crosslinked polyethylene oxide/polypropylene oxide/polyethylene oxide block polymer with optional polyester blocks

The present invention relates to novel bioabsorbable polymeric compositions based upon AB polyester polyether or related diblocks and triblocks. Compositions according to the present invention may be used in medical applications, for example, for reducing or preventing adhesion formation subsequent to medical procedures such as surgery, for producing surgical articles including stents and grafts, as coatings, sealants, lubricants, as transient barriers in the body, for materials which control the release of bioactive agents in the body, for wound and bum dressings and producing biodegradable articles, among numerous others.

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Shoam, Israel

Avraham Levi