Other

California Institute of Technology

Natalie D Winblade

Jeffrey Alan Hubbell

Donald Leo Elbert

The invention discloses materials that adsorb readily to the surfaces of body tissues in situ and provide a steric barrier between such tissues, so that tissue adhesions, which typically form following surgical procedures, are minimized. These materials contain a polymer of hydrophilic molecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) bound to a polymer that spontaneously adsorbs to biological tissue such as phenylboronic acid (PBA). The PEG-PBA co-polymer can be formed in a variety of geometries. The materials can also be used to coat prosthetics and other implants.

Methods and compositions to prevent formation of adhesions in biological tissues

Boronic acid containing polymers are used to form bioinert gels and multilayer surface structures. These polymers form crosslinked hydrogels, which are highly swollen in water. The crosslinking can either be chemical or physical. Water soluble polymers containing boronic acid groups, such as phenylboronic acid (PBA), can be physically crosslinked by mixing the polymers in water with other polymers containing hydroxyls or carboxylic acids. Alternatively, surfaces can be treated by stepwise incubation with a solution of the boronic acid containing polymer, followed by incubation with a solution of a diol or carboxylic acid containing polymer. Many successive layers can be generated, increasing the thickness of the formed structure at each step. The bioinert gel or surface coating can be used for passivating the surfaces of medical implants (especially those based on transplanted tissue), or for passivating the surfaces of tissues in situ, decreasing the incidence or severity of such pathologic conditions as the formation of post-surgical adhesions, and thrombosis following angioplasty.

Gels and multilayer surface structures from boronic acid containing polymers

Boronic acid containing polymers are used to form bioinert gels and multilayer surface structures. These polymers form crosslinked hydrogels, which are highly swollen in water. The crosslinking can either be chemical or physical. Water soluble polymers containing boronic acid groups, such as phenylboronic acid (PBA), can be physically crosslinked by mixing the polymers in water with other polymers containing hydroxyls or carboxylic acids. Alternatively, surfaces can be treated by stepwise incubation with a solution of the boronic acid containing polymer, followed by incubation with a solution of a diol or carboxylic acid containing polymer. Many successive layers can be generated, increasing the thickness of the formed structure at each step. The bioinert gel or surface coating can be used for passivating the surfaces of medical implants (especially those based on transplanted tissue), or for passivating the surfaces of tissues in situ.

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Natalie D Winblade