Stabilized Glycosaminoglycan Preparations and Related Methods

Abstract

Compositions comprising a glycosaminoglycan (e.g., a hyaluronan, hyaluronic acid, hyaluronate, sodium hyaluronate, dermatan sulfate, karatan sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, heparin, etc.) in combination with at least one component selected from; i) polyglycols (e.g., polyethylene glycol), ii) long chain hydroxy polyanionic polysaccharides (e.g., dextran, sodium alginate, alginic acid, propylene glycol alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose and carboxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyl ethyl starch, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polylysine, polyhistidine, polyhydroxy proline, poly ornithine, polyvinyl pyrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, etc.) and iii) long chain Nitrogen containing polymers (e.g., Polylysine, Polyvinylpyrrolidone, and polyvinyl alcohol). The invention also includes methods for using such compositions (e.g., as substance delivery materials, tissue fillers or bulking agents, as moistening or hydrating agents, etc.)

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising:
 a first component selected from the group consisting of glycosaminoglycans; and   a second component selected from the group consisting of i) polyglycols, ii) long chain hydroxy polyanionic polysaccharides and iii) long chain nitrogen containing polymers and iii) long chain Nitrogen containing polymers.   
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises Sodium Alginate. 
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises Alginic Acid. 
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises Propylene Glycol Alginate. 
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises Carboxy Methyl cellulose. 
     
     
         6 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises Hydroxy Propyl Methyl cellulose, Hydroxy Propyl Cellulose, and Methyl Cellulose. 
     
     
         7 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises polylysine, polyhistidine, polyhydroxyl proline, poly ornithine. 
     
     
         8 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises polyethylene glycol. 
     
     
         9 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises polylysine. 
     
     
         10 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises dextran. 
     
     
         11 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises hydroxylethyl starch. 
     
     
         12 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises chitosan. 
     
     
         13 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         14 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone. 
     
     
         15 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises polyhydroxyprolin. 
     
     
         16 . A composition according to  claim 2  wherein the polyglycol has an average molecular weight in the range of about 200 to about 35,000. 
     
     
         17 . A composition according to  claim 2  wherein the polyglycol has an average molecular weight in the range of about 6000 to about 8000. 
     
     
         18 . A composition according to  claim 2  wherein the polyglycol comprises PEG. 
     
     
         19 . A composition according to  claim 5  wherein the PEG has an average molecular weight in the range of about 200 to about 35,000. 
     
     
         20 . A composition according to  claim 5  wherein the PEG has an average molecular weight in the range of about 6000 to about 8000. 
     
     
         21 .- 29 . (canceled)