Polymeric sealant for use in mammals (as amended)

Abstract

The invention provides a polymeric medical sealant for use in mammals other than humans. The medical sealant is useful for application to the tonsils, adenoids or paranasal sinus, wherein the sealant performs at least one of the following functions, a) inhibit the colonization of bacteria, b) inhibit the binding of bacteria to tissue, c) reduction of tissue morbidity, d) hemostasis, e) coating and protection of tissue during healing, f) promotion of healing, and g) reduction of pain.

1 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant comprising a film, gel, sheet, sponge or powder applied to the tonsils, adenoids or paranasal sinus of a mammal other than a human, wherein the sealant performs at least one of the following functions, a) inhibiting the colonization of bacteria, b) inhibiting the binding of bacteria to tissue, c) reducing tissue morbidity, d) hemostasis, e) coating and protection of tissue during healing, f) promoting healing, and g) reducing pain. 
     
     
         2 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant inhibits the colonization of bacteria. 
     
     
         3 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant inhibits the binding of bacteria to tissue. 
     
     
         4 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant reduces tissue morbidity in tissue to which it is applied. 
     
     
         5 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant reduces bleeding. 
     
     
         6 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant coats and protects tissue during healing. 
     
     
         7 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein the application of said sealant reduces pain in tissue to which it is applied during treatment or postoperative healing. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant hardens or crosslinks to form a semi-pliable barrier upon application. 
     
     
         10 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant has a residence time of at least about one day. 
     
     
         11 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant has a residence time of at least about one week. 
     
     
         12 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant has a residence time of at least about one month. 
     
     
         13 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant is applied as an atomized powder or atomized liquid. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 8  wherein said sealant comprises a polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         16 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant comprises a silk or silk-elastin polymer crosslinked with a crosslinking agent selected from an aldehyde, a thiol, or a chitosan. 
     
     
         17 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant is crosslinked with an aldehyde selected from formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. 
     
     
         18 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  further including at least one therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of analgesics, antihistamines, anti-infective agents, anti-fungal agents, biostatic compositions, anti-inflammatory agents, anti-cholinergics, anti-neoplastic agents, cytokines, decongestants, vitamins, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, immunosuppressors, vasoconstrictors and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  further including a blood product. 
     
     
         20 : A method of treatment for conditions of the tonsils, adenoids or paranasal sinus of a mammal other than a human, which method comprises the step of providing at least one polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1 , and applying it to the tonsils, adenoids, paranasal sinus or adjacent tissue. 
     
     
         21 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein said sealant has a colorant that provides visual confirmation of the sealant present at a surgical site. 
     
     
         25 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein the sealant is a synthetic polymer. 
     
     
         26 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein the sealant is a natural polymer. 
     
     
         27 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein the sealant comprises a crosslinking material. 
     
     
         28 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein the sealant comprises a poly(lactide), poly(glycolide), poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), polycaprolactone, polyamide, poly(malic acid), polyanhydride, polyamino acid, polyorthoester, polyetherester, polycyanoacrylate, polyphosphazine, polyphosphoester, polyesteramide, polydiozanone, polyacetal, polyketal, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyhydroxybutyrate, polyhydoxyvalerate, polyalkylene oxalate, polyalkylene succinate, or a copolymer, terpolymer, blend, or mixture thereof. 
     
     
         29 : A polymeric film-forming medical sealant according to  claim 1  wherein the sealant comprises hydroxypropylcellulose, poly(ethylene oxide), polylactic acid, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, a cellulosic polymer, an acrylic polymer, a fat, a wax, a lipid, a polysaccharide, or mixture thereof.