Drexel University

Synthes Usa, LLC

Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.

Synthes Gmbh

Meredith Hans

Elliott A Gruskin

Nigel G Smith

Anthony M Lowman

Garland W Fussell

Doug Buechter

Melissa Brown

Stephen Hornsby

Andrea Jennifer Vernengo

Nigel Gordon Smith

The present invention is directed to a bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition for repairing and/or augmenting an intervertebral disc. The bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition can be cross linked with the surrounding tissue so as to potentially serve as a nucleus pulposus replacement or augmentation along with serving to repair annular tears or fissure. The bioadhesive thermogelling hydrogel composition may include three main components: a thermal responsive polymer, an amine-containing polymer and a crosslinking component. All three components can be modified and combined in numerous ways to serve the need of the system as long as the amine-containing component is kept separate from the crosslinking component until the components are injected. The incorporation of a two-part crosslinking thermal responsive hydrogel permits smaller amounts of the crosslinking component to be used and enables the crosslinking dialdehyde to be delivered locally into the tissue that will react with the hydrogel. This helps prevent damage to tissues away from the hydrogel.

Method to repair a damaged intervertebral disc through the use of a bioadhesive, thermogelling hydrogel

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Abington, PA, United States of America

Meredith Hans