Hyaluronic acid-based gels including lidocaine

Abstract

Disclosed herein are cohesive soft tissue fillers, for example, dermal and subdermal fillers, based on hyaluronic acids and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In one aspect, hyaluronic acid-based compositions described herein include a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anesthetic agent, for example, lidocaine. The present hyaluronic acid-based compositions including lidocaine have an enhanced stability and cohesivity, relative to conventional compositions including lidocaine, for example when subjected to sterilization techniques or when stored for long periods of time. Methods and processes of preparing such hyaluronic acid-based compositions are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition for restoring fat loss-related tissue volume loss in the face, the composition comprising:
 a sterile, viscoelastic gel comprising hyaluronic acid crosslinked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), and including lidocaine;   the gel being extrudable through a needle for implantation beneath the skin of the face.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the gel is extrudable through a needle having a needle gauge between about 18 G and about 40 G. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the gel is extrudable through a needle having a needle gauge between about 25 G to about 33 G. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the gel is extrudable through a needle having a needle gauge between about 16 G to about 25 G. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the lidocaine is present in the gel at a concentration of about 0.3% by weight. 
     
     
         6 . A device for restoring fat loss-related tissue volume loss in the face, the device comprising:
 a syringe;   a sterile viscoelastic gel contained in the syringe, the gel comprising hyaluronic acid crosslinked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), and including an amount of lidocaine.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the syringe has an internal volume of about 0.4 mL to about 3 mL. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the syringe 7 has an internal volume between about 0.5 mL and about 1.5 mL. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the syringe has an internal volume between about 0.8 mL and about 2.5 mL. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the amount of lidocaine present in the gel at 0.3% by weight.