Advanced functional biocompatible polymeric matrix used as a hemostatic agent and system for damaged tissues and cells

Abstract

A hemostatic tissue sealant sponge and a spray for acute wounds are disclosed. The sponge comprises hydrophobically modified polymers that anchor themselves within the membrane of cells in the vicinity of the wound. The seal is strong enough to substantially prevent the loss of blood inside the boundaries of the sponge, yet weak enough to substantially prevent damage to newly formed tissue upon recovery and subsequent removal of the sponge. In examples, the polymers inherently prevent microbial infections and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism. The spray comprises hydrophobically modified polymers that form solid gel networks with blood cells to create a physical clotting mechanism to prevent loss of blood. In an example, the spray further comprises at least one reagent that increases the mechanical integrity of the clot. In another example, the reagent prevents microbial infection of the wound.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An hydrophobically modified alginate film, comprising:
 one or more hydrophobic moieties covalently attached to an alginate film, wherein said alginate film is lyophilized.   
     
     
         2 . The film of  claim 1 , wherein one or more hydrophobic moieties have a molecular formula of C 12 H 25 . 
     
     
         3 . The film of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more hydrophobic moieties comprise n-alkyl functional groups. 
     
     
         4 . The film of  claim 1 , wherein the alginate film adheres to lipid or surfactant bilayers through hydrophobic interactions. 
     
     
         5 . The film of  claim 1 , wherein ≦10% of available functional groups in the alginate are occupied by the one or more hydrophobic moieties. 
     
     
         6 . The film of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more hydrophobic moieties are organic compounds with a backbone of at least six and no more than thirty six carbon residues. 
     
     
         7 . The film of  claim 1 , further comprising a vesicle. 
     
     
         8 . The film of  claim 7 , wherein the vesicle is functionalized with at least one bioactive agent 
     
     
         9 . A method of using a hydrophobically modified alginate matrix of  claim 1  for treatment of wounds, comprising:
 administering the hydrophobically modified alginate matrix formulated as a solid state sponge that has been made from a solution having a concentration of about 1% to about 2.5% by weight relative to the total weight of the solution of the hydrophobically modified alginate matrix and wherein hydrophobic substitutions occur in up to 10% of available functional groups of the alginate matrix backbone, to a damaged tissue or a red blood cell, wherein the hydrophobically modified alginate matrix is capable of adhering to the damaged tissue or red blood cell via hydrophobic interactions; wherein the hydrophobic modifications comprise hydrocarbon substituents of eight to eighteen carbon residues in length covalently attached to the alginate matrix. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the solid state sponge is formulated by a process that comprises dehydration by at least one of a drying process, freezing process or a lyophilization process. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein hydrophobic substitutions occur in between 1.5 and 4.5% of available functional groups of the alginate matrix.