Methods for soft tissue augmentation

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for soft tissue augmentation in a mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having a water equilibrium content of less than about 15% and a biocompatible solvent is delivered to the tissue of the mammal to be augmented.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for soft tissue augmentation in a mammal, which method comprises delivering a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having a water equilibrium content of less than about 15% and a biocompatible solvent to the tissue of the mammal to be augmented 
 wherein said delivery is conducted under conditions such that a polymer precipitate forms in situ in the soft tissue thereby augmenting the tissue at the delivery site in the mammal.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said biocompatible polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate polymers, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers and polyacrylates.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2  wherein said biocompatible polymer is a cellulose acetate polymer or an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said biocompatible solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol, ethyl lactate, and acetone.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein said biocompatible solvent is dimethylsulfoxide.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the composition further comprises a contrast agent.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein said contrast agent is a water insoluble contrast agent.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein said water insoluble contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of tantalum, tantalum oxide, tungsten, and barium sulfate.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6  wherein said contrast agent is a water soluble contrast agent.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the delivery is selected from the group consisting of subcutaneous delivery, intradermal delivery and subdermal delivery.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said composition is delivered into the soft tissue via a needle and syringe.  
     
     
         12 . A method for the delivery of a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having a water equilibrium content of less than about 15% and a biocompatible solvent to the soft tissue of the mammal which tissue already has deposited therein an initial amount of this composition which method comprises 
 visualizing the position of the deposited composition in the tissue    delivering a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having a water equilibrium content of less than about 15% and a biocompatible solvent to the tissue of the mammal containing said deposited composition    wherein said delivery is conducted under conditions such that additional polymer precipitate forms in situ in the tissue thereby further augmenting the tissue at the delivery site in the mammal.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the initial deposit was made during a prior procedure.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein visualization is conducted by direct visualization, fluoroscopy or ultrasound.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the composition further comprises a contrast agent.  
     
     
         16 . A kit of parts comprising: 
 a first member which is a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having a water equilibrium content of less than about 15% and a biocompatible solvent; and    a second member which is a needle selected from the group consisting of a puncture needle, a spinal needle and a needle tipped catheter.    
     
     
         17 . The kit of parts according to  claim 16  wherein said biocompatible polymer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetates, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, polyalkyl(C 1 -C 6 ) acrylates, acrylate copolymers, and polyalkyl alkacrylates wherein the alkyl and the alk groups contain no more than 6 carbon atoms.  
     
     
         18 . The kit of parts according to  claim 17  wherein said biocompatible polymer is a cellulose acetate polymer or an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer.  
     
     
         19 . The kit of parts according to  claim 17  wherein said biocompatible solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, dimethylsulfoxide, ethanol, and acetone.  
     
     
         20 . The kit of parts according to  claim 19  wherein said biocompatible solvent is dimethylsulfoxide.  
     
     
         21 . The kit of parts according to  claim 16  wherein the composition further comprises a contrast agent.  
     
     
         22 . The kit of parts according to  claim 21  wherein said contrast agent is a water insoluble contrast agent.  
     
     
         23 . The kit of parts according to  claim 22  wherein said water insoluble contrast agent is selected from the group consisting of tantalum, tantalum oxide, tungsten, and barium sulfate.  
     
     
         24 . The kit of parts according to  claim 16  further comprising a syringe.