Injectable microspheres for dermal augmentation and tissue bulking

Abstract

The present invention relates to elastic, hydrophilic and substantially spherical microspheres useful for dermal augmentation and tissue bulking. The invention provides injectable compositions comprising the microspheres and a biocompatible carrier for use in dermal augmentation. The present invention further provides methods of dermal augmentation and tissue bulking, particularly for the treatment of skin contour deficiencies, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease, urinary incontinence, and urinary reflux disease, using the injectable compositions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for dermal augmentation in a mammal comprising injecting a composition of elastic, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres in a biocompatible carrier to said mammal through a needle of about 30 gauge or smaller.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a suspension of said microspheres in said biocompatible carrier.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein there is no aggregation or clumping of the microspheres prior to or during the administration.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microspheres comprise one or more elastomers.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the elastomers are selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, acrylamide polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers, acrylate polymers, polysaccharides, silicones, or derivatives and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises therapeutic agent, radio-pacifying agent, contrast media, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said therapeutic agents are bound to the microspheres.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the microspheres are capable of being chemically modified to have therapeutic effects, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-bacterial effects, anti-histamine effects, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the chemical modification of the microspheres are caused by interactions between the microspheres and neighboring tissues after administration thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration comprises injecting said composition into an area of said mammal in need of dermal augmentation.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the administration comprises injecting said composition into the subcutaneous layer.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dermal augmentation is for treatment of contour deficiencies of said mammal.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the contour deficiencies are caused by aging, environmental exposure, weight loss, child bearing, surgery, disease, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the disease is acne, skin cancer, or combination thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the contour deficiencies are one or more of the group consisting of frown lines, worry lines, wrinkles, crow's feet, marionette lines, stretch marks, and internal or external scars resulted from injury, wound, surgery, bites, cuts, or accident.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal is human.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the administration comprises injecting said composition extracorporeally into organs, components of organs, or tissues prior to their inclusion into said mammal's body, organs, or components of organs.  
     
     
         18 . A kit for performing dermal augmentation comprising: 
 (a) a 30 gauge or smaller needle;    (b) means for injecting a liquid based composition through said needle; and    (c) biocompatible, elastic, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres injectable through said needle and are not capable of being eliminated by macrophage or other elements of said mammal's immune system after injection thereof.    
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18 , wherein the means for injection is a syringe corresponding to said needle.  
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 18 , further comprising a liquid based biocompatible carrier injectable through said needle.  
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 20 , wherein the microspheres are suspended in the biocompatible carrier.  
     
     
         22 . The kit of  claim 21 , wherein the microspheres are associated with cells.  
     
     
         23 . A method of tissue bulking in a mammal comprising injecting a composition of elastic, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres in a biocompatible carrier to said mammal through a needle of about 18 to about 26 gauge.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the composition is a suspension of said microspheres in said biocompatible carrier.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein there is no aggregation or clumping of the microspheres prior to or during the administration.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the microspheres comprise one or more elastomers.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the elastomers are selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, acrylamide polymers, vinyl alcohol polymers, acrylate polymers, polysaccharides, silicones, or derivatives and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the composition further comprises therapeutic agent, radio-pacifying agent, contrast media, or mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said therapeutic agents are bound to the microspheres.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the microspheres are capable of being chemically modified to have therapeutic effects, vascularization effects, anti-vascularization effects, visualization properties, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-bacterial effects, anti-histamine effects, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the chemical modification of the microspheres are caused by interactions between the microspheres and neighboring tissues after administration thereof.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the administration comprises injecting said composition into an area of said mammal in need of tissue bulking.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the injection is into the vocal cord.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 23 , the tissue bulking is for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the administration comprises injecting said composition into the lower esophageal sphincter or the diaphragm of said mammal.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the tissue bulking is for the treatment of urinary incontinence or urinary reflux disease.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the administration comprises injecting said composition into the bladder sphincter or urethra of said mammal.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the urinary incontinence is caused by bladder-neck hypermobility.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the mammal is a human.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the administration comprises injecting said composition extracorporeally into organs, components of organs, or tissues prior to their inclusion into said mammal's body, organs, or components of organs.  
     
     
         40 . A kit for performing tissue bulking comprising: 
 (a) an 18 to 26 gauge needle;    (b) means for injecting a liquid based composition through said needle; and    (c) biocompatible, elastic, hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical microspheres injectable through said needle and are not capable of being digested or eliminated by macrophage or other elements of said mammal's immune or lymphatic system after injection thereof.    
     
     
         41 . The kit of  claim 40 , wherein the means for injection is a syringe corresponding to said needle.  
     
     
         42 . The kit of  claim 40 , further comprising a liquid based biocompatible carrier injectable through said needle.  
     
     
         43 . The kit of  claim 42 , wherein the microspheres are suspended in the biocompatible carrier.  
     
     
         44 . The kit of  claim 43 , wherein the microspheres are associated with cells.