Novel biomaterials and a method for making and using same

Abstract

Novel biomaterials are disclosed having unique properties that make it a useful material in adhesives, local drug delivery applications and as filler or bulking material. The biomaterials are strong, safe and easily used as a surgical adhesive. Treated chitosan, modified chitosan or modified and treated chitosan compositions are disclosed displaying strengths suitable for general surgical applications. The materials can be used as a drug delivery vehicle which allows for the localization of the delivered drug as well as a programmable tether which allows for the release of the drug on a timed basis or in response to a physiological state such as the release of proteolytic enzymes. The materials of this invention can also be modified and treated to optimize the retention of water, thereby serving as a useful filler or bulking material.

1 . A composition comprising a modified chitosan wherein said modified chitosan exhibits changes in one or more chemical, physical and/or performance properties or characteristics relative to a corresponding unmodified chitosan. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an effective amount of a topically applied therapeutic agent or a cosmetic agent. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein said modified chitosan is covalently modified with an alkyl sulfonic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3 , further comprising an effective amount of a topically applied therapeutic agent or a cosmetic agent. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein said alkyl sulfonic acid is octane sulfonic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , further comprising an effective amount of a topically applied therapeutic agent or a cosmetic agent. 
     
     
         7 . A method for treating skin comprising administering to skin with a need a composition comprising a modified chitosan and an effective amount of a topically applied therapeutic agent or a cosmetic agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said modified chitosan is covalently modified with an alkyl sulfonic acid. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said alkyl sulfonic acid is octane sulfonic acid. 
     
     
         10 . A process for making a delivery composition comprising:
 mixing a composition comprising a modified chitosan with an effective amount of one or more pharmaceutical or biological agents under conditions sufficient to form a substantially uniform delivery composition,   wherein said modified chitosan exhibits changes in one or more chemical, physical and/or performance properties or characteristics relative to a corresponding unmodified chitosan.   
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein said modified chitosan is covalently modified with an alkyl sulfonic acid. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said alkyl sulfonic acid is octane sulfonic acid. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein said one or more biological agents comprise topically applied therapeutic agents or cosmetic agents. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 11 , wherein said one or more biological agents comprise topically applied therapeutic agents or cosmetic agents. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein said one or more biological agents comprise topically applied therapeutic agents or cosmetic agents.