Method of soft tissue augmentation

Abstract

Particles made of a viscoelastic medium, are injectable gel particles, and have a size, when subjected to a physiological salt solution, in the range of from 1 to 5 mm. The particles are useful in a soft tissue augmentation implant. The implant includes particles of a viscoelastic medium, wherein a major volume of the particles are injectable gel particles The implant is useful in a method of soft tissue augmentation in a mammal, including man, comprising subepidermal administration at a site in said mammal where soft tissue augmentation is desirable, of an implant.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A preventive or alleviating treatment associated with soft tissue augmentation in a human subject in need thereof, wherein said treatment comprises subepidermal administration by injection through a 10-20 gauge needle at a site in said human subject where the preventive or alleviating treatment is desirable, of a volume in the range of 1-10 ml of an implant comprising injectable gel particles of a viscoelastic medium, wherein said viscoelastic medium is selected from the group consisting of cross-linked hyaluronic acid and derivatives thereof, and wherein the concentration of said viscoelastic medium in said gel particles, when subjected to a physiological salt solution, is in the range of from 5 to 100 mg/ml, and wherein a major volume of said particles has a size, when subjected to a physiological salt solution, in the range of from 1 to 5 mm, thereby achieving a preventive or alleviating therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         22 . The treatment according to  claim 21 , wherein said administration is deep subcutaneous administration. 
     
     
         23 . The treatment according to  claim 21 , wherein said size is in the range of from 1 to 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         24 . The treatment according to  claim 21 , wherein the preventive or alleviating treatment involves augmentation of a tissue that connects, supports or surrounds an organ of the body. 
     
     
         25 . The treatment according to  claim 21 , wherein the injection is performed through a 16-20 gauge needle. 
     
     
         26 . The treatment according to  claim 21 , wherein the concentration of said viscoelastic medium in said gel particles, when subjected to a physiological salt solution, is in the range of from 20 to 25 mg/ml. 
     
     
         27 . The treatment according to  claim 21 , wherein the concentration of said viscoelastic medium in said gel particles, when subjected to a physiological salt solution, is approximately 20 mg/ml. 
     
     
         28 . The treatment according to  claim 21 , wherein the treatment achieves a preventive therapeutic effect. 
     
     
         29 . The treatment according to  claim 21 , wherein the injection is performed through a 20 gauge needle.