Hemostatic compositons and methods

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions involving resorbable hemostatic agents that have the essential absence of microfibrillar collagen. Resorbable hemostatic agents of the present invention comprise polyethylene glycol, which controls bleeding in tissue and does not delay or interfere with healing. The resorbable hemostatic agents of the present invention are biodegradable and biocompatible agents that effectively control bleeding in bone and other tissue without interfering with the subsequent healing of the tissue.

1 . A resorbable hemostatic agent having the essential absence of microfibrillar collagen comprising polyethylene glycol.  
   
   
       2 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene glycol is a combination of high molecular weight and low molecular weight polyethylene glycol.  
   
   
       3 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 1 , wherein the hemostatic agent comprises from about 65% to about 100% by weight polyethylene glycol.  
   
   
       4 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 2 , wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene glycol comprises a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight ranging from about 1000 to about 4000.  
   
   
       5 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 2  wherein the low molecular weight polyethylene glycol comprises a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight ranging from about 300 to about 600.  
   
   
       6 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bone growth stimulator.  
   
   
       7 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 6 , wherein the bone growth stimulator is calcium hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate.  
   
   
       8 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 1 , further comprising an antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory drug.  
   
   
       9 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 8 , wherein the antimicrobial is selected from a group consisting of streptomycin, tetracycline, penicillin, vancomycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, polymyxin, bacitracin, ciprofloxacin, rifampin, gentamicin, cefazolin, oxacillin, silver, silversulfadiazine, and ampicillin.  
   
   
       10 . A resorbable hemostatic agent having the essential absence of microfibrillar collagen comprising between about 70% to about 100% by weight high molecular weight polyethylene glycol and between about 0% to about 30% by weight low molecular weight polyethylene glycol; and a bone growth stimulator which comprises hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate or bone growth factor.  
   
   
       11 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 10  wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene glycol comprises a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight ranging from about 1000 to about 4000.  
   
   
       12 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 11 , wherein the low molecular weight polyethylene glycol comprises a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight ranging from about 300 to about 600.  
   
   
       13 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 10 , further comprising an, antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory drug.  
   
   
       14 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 13 , wherein the antibiotic is selected from a group consisting of wherein the antimicrobial is selected from a group consisting of streptomycin, tetracycline, penicillin, vancomycin, clindamycin, erythromycin, polymyxin, bacitracin, ciprofloxacin, rifampin, gentamicin, cefazolin, oxacillin, silver, silversulfadiazine and ampicillin.  
   
   
       15 . A method for treating defects in dense tissue, comprising applying to the defect a resorbable hemostatic agent having the essential absence of microfibrillar collagen, the hemostatic agent comprising polyethylene glycol resorbable.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the dense tissue muscle, cartilage or bone.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the polyethylene glycol is a combination of high molecular weight and low molecular weight polyethylene glycol.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the hemostatic agent comprises from about 65% to about 100% by weight polyethylene glycol.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the high molecular weight polyethylene glycol comprises a polyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight ranging from about 1000 to about 4000  
   
   
       20 . A method for promoting bone growth in a mammal in need of bone repair, comprising applying to the bone a resorbable hemostatic agent having the essential absence of microfibrillar collagen, the resorbable hemostatic agent comprising between about 70% to about 100% by weight high molecular weight polyethylene glycol and between about 0% to about 10% by weight low molecular weight polyethylene glycol; the hemostatic agent having a bone growth stimulator which comprises hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate.  
   
   
       21 . A resorbable hemostatic agent according to  claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene glycol comprises polyethylene glycol 1450 and polyethylene glycol 400.