Mucosal tissue dressing and method of use

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating pain after surgical procedures related to mucosal tissue, including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or other pharyngeal operations. Certain embodiments provide a biodegradable film or covering that serves as a mechanical barrier to reduce pain caused, for example, by friction between solid food and healing tissue in the first few days after surgery. Some embodiments include a method for increasing the adhesion between tissue and the film or covering.

1 . A mucosal tissue dressing comprising:
 a tissue contacting surface disposed along a first side of the dressing and adapted to contact a mucous membrane, the tissue contacting surface comprising a first region for covering injured tissue and a second region for adhering to healthy tissue on at least two opposing sides of the injured tissue, wherein the first region has a substantially lower tissue adhesion strength than a tissue adhesion strength of the second region, and wherein the tissue adhesion strength of the second region is sufficient to adhere the tissue contacting surface to mucosal tissue for a period of time from about 48 hours to about 14 days after applying the dressing to the mucosal tissue; and   an abrasion-resistant surface disposed along a second side of the dressing.   
   
   
       2 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the first region has lower lift off adhesion strength than the second region. 
   
   
       3 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the first region has lower peel off adhesion strength than the second region. 
   
   
       4 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the second region is at least part of an edge region of the tissue dressing. 
   
   
       5 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the second region is the outer rim of the tissue dressing. 
   
   
       6 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive surface comprises at least one crosslinked polymer. 
   
   
       7 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the first region comprises polyethylene glycol. 
   
   
       8 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the second region comprises polyacrylic acid. 
   
   
       9 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the second region comprises chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. 
   
   
       10 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive surface degrades in saliva faster than the abrasion-resistant surface degrades in saliva. 
   
   
       11 . The tissue dressing of  claim 1 , wherein the edges of the dressing are thinner than the center portion of the dressing. 
   
   
       12 . A method of applying a mucosal tissue dressing to mucosal tissue, the method comprising:
 injuring a first area of mucosal tissue adjacent a second area of mucosal tissue that has been previously injured; and   attaching the mucosal tissue dressing to the first area such that the dressing covers the second area and adheres to the first area.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the second area comprises an area from which at least one of a tonsil and an adenoid has been removed, and wherein the first area comprises mucosal tissue on approximately opposite sides of the second area, so that the mucosal tissue dressing spans across the second area when adhered to the first area. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mucosal tissue dressing is a pre-formed film. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mucosal tissue dressing is applied as a film-forming liquid. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein attaching the mucosal tissue dressing comprises:
 applying a layer of a first material to injured mucosal tissue; and   applying a layer of a second material to the first material, wherein the layer of second material substantially covers the layer of first material.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  or  14 , wherein attaching the mucosal tissue dressing further comprises attaching the dressing to uninjured mucosal tissue. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of cross-linking the first material, the second material, or both. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first material includes a liquid comprising a ethylene glycol monomers, oligomers, or polymers. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second material includes a liquid comprising acrylic acid monomers, oligomers, or polymers. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second material includes a liquid comprising chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of treating the healthy mucosal tissue to increase the adhesive bond between the healthy mucosal tissue and the second material. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of ablating healthy mucosal tissue proximate the injured mucosal tissue. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the ablating is accomplished using radiofrequency energy. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein injuring the tissue comprises ablating the tissue with a radiofrequency ablation device.