Placental or umbilical cord tissue compositions

Abstract

The present invention encompasses compositions, including solutions, gels, and pastes, manufactured from amniotic membrane, umbilical cord membrane, or both. The present invention also encompasses methods of making such compositions, and methods of using the compositions to treat conditions of the eye.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A composition comprising (i) placental tissue components soluble in aqueous solution at acidic and neutral pH, and substantially lacking placental tissue components insoluble in aqueous solution at acidic and neutral pH, and (ii) one or more biologically active compounds, wherein the composition is prepared according to the following method:
 (a) contacting placental tissue with an acidic solution;   (b) bringing the solution to neutral pH; and   (c) removing insoluble matter within said solution to yield said placental tissue components.   
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said placental tissue is amniotic membrane (AM). 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said composition is formulated as a liquid, gel, paste, slurry, cream, or ointment. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein the composition is an ophthalmologically-acceptable liquid. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein the insoluble matter in said solution is removed following step (a). 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein the insoluble matter in said solution is removed following step (b). 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said method further comprises adding said one or more biologically active compounds to said placental tissue components. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 38 , wherein the insoluble matter in said solution is removed following the step of adding said one or more biologically active compounds to said placental tissue components. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said biologically active compound is an organic molecule, an antibiotic, an anti-viral agent, an anti-microbial agent, an anti-fungal agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antiproliferative agent, a cytokine receptor modulator, a cross-linking agent, an enzyme or protein inhibitor, an antihistamine, a hormone, a growth factor, a pain medication, a wound healing agent, a wound sealant, or a scaffolding reagent. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 40 , wherein said biologically active compound is a wound healing agent. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 41 , wherein said wound healing agent is iron, zinc, vitamin C, arginine, thymosin, PDGF, TGF, or hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said biologically active compound is a wound sealant. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 43 , wherein said wound sealant is fibrin. 
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said biologically active compound is a cross-linking agent. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 45 , wherein said cross-linking agent is riboflavin. 
     
     
         47 . A method for treating an injury, wound, or discontinuity in or on a tissue of a subject, comprising contacting said injury, wound, or discontinuity with the composition of  claim 41 . 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein said injury, wound, or discontinuity is a laceration, scrape, thermal or chemical burn, incision, or puncture. 
     
     
         49 . A method for treating an injury, wound, or discontinuity in or on a tissue of a subject, comprising contacting said injury, wound, or discontinuity with the composition of  claim 43 . 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said injury, wound, or discontinuity is a laceration, scrape, thermal or chemical burn, incision, or puncture. 
     
     
         51 . A method for treating an ocular condition or symptom thereof in a subject. comprising contacting the affected area of said subject's eye(s) with the composition of  claim 45 . 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said ocular condition is discontinuity of the sclera or cornea, a congenital defect, or an injury resulting from ocular surgery. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein said condition or symptom is irritation, inflammation, dryness, stickiness, or symblepharon.