Method, Composition, and Articles For Improving Joint Lubrication

Abstract

Articles for increasing lubrication of a joint are described herein. The articles include resorbable, biocompatible particles having a glass transition temperature within a joint of less than about 37° C. and capable of increasing fluid movement within the joint compared to synovial fluid, viscosupplemental fluid, or combinations thereof A composition for increasing lubrication of a joint is also disclosed. The composition includes the resorbable, biocompatible particles and a carrier fluid. Methods of lubricating a joint and treating disease affecting the joint such as osteoarthritis are also described herein. The methods include introducing the resorbable, biocompatible particles into a joint.

1 . Articles for increasing lubrication of a joint comprising:
 resorbable, biocompatible particles having a glass transition temperature within a joint of less than about 37° C. and capable of increasing fluid movement within the joint compared to synovial fluid, viscosupplemental fluid, or combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The articles of  claim 1 , wherein the average particle size is about 0.5 millimeters to about 5 millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The articles of  claim 2 , wherein the average particle size is about 3 millimeters. 
     
     
         4 . The articles of  claim 1 , wherein a Young's Modulus of the particles is about 10 megapascals to about 500 megapascals. 
     
     
         5 . The articles of  claim 4 , wherein a Young's Modulus of the particles is about 10 megapascals to about 100 megapascals. 
     
     
         6 . The articles of  claim 5 , wherein the Young's Modulus of the particles is about 10 to about 30 megapascals. 
     
     
         7 . The articles of  claim 1 , wherein a Poisson's ratio of the particles is about 0.1 to about 0.5. 
     
     
         8 . The articles of  claim 7 , wherein the Poisson's ratio of the particles is about 0.3. 
     
     
         9 . The articles of  claim 1 , wherein an average density of the particles is greater than an average density of a fluid within the joint. 
     
     
         10 . The articles of  claim 9 , wherein the average density of the particles is about 1 g/ml to about 2.5 g/ml. 
     
     
         11 . The articles of  claim 10 , wherein the average density of the particles is about 1.2 g/ml. 
     
     
         12 . The articles of  claim 1 , wherein the particles resorb in vivo in about 3 to about 18 months. 
     
     
         13 . The articles of  claim 12 , wherein the particles resorb in vivo in about 12 to about 18 months. 
     
     
         14 . The articles of  claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise copolymers of lactic acid and caprolactone. 
     
     
         15 . The articles according to  claim 14 , wherein the particles comprise L-lactide and caprolactone monomers. 
     
     
         16 . The articles of  claim 14 , wherein the particles comprise poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone). 
     
     
         17 . The articles of  claim 16 , wherein the monomer ratio of L-lactide to caprolactone is about 70:30 to about 5:95. 
     
     
         18 . The articles of  claim 17 , wherein the inherent viscosity of the particles is about 0.15 deciliters per gram to about 3.0 deciliters per gram. 
     
     
         19 . The articles of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are generally spherical. 
     
     
         20 . A composition for increasing lubrication of a joint comprising:
 resorbable, biocompatible particles having a glass transition temperature within a joint of less than about 37° C. and capable of increasing fluid movement within the joint compared to synovial fluid, viscosupplemental fluid, or combinations thereof and   a carrier fluid.   
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the carrier fluid comprises synovial fluid, viscosupplemental fluid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 20 , wherein the composition further comprises at least one therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the therapeutic agent comprises hyaluronic acid, modified hyaluronic acid, anti-inflammatory medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, a numbing agents, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 - 38 . (canceled)