Sprayable polymers as adhesion barriers

Abstract

A formulation for generating an adhesion barrier that includes a plurality of particles or a dry powder that is made of a polymer combination of at least one biodegradable polymer and at least one water soluble polymer is disclosed. Methods of making and delivering the formulation are further disclosed. The formulation of particles is deposited on a surface of internal body tissue and the deposited formulation absorbs moisture from the tissue and forms a film over the surface. The film acts as an adhesion barrier by reducing or preventing adhesion of the surface to other body tissue.

1 . A formulation for generating an adhesion barrier comprising:
 a plurality of particles comprising a polymer combination,   wherein the polymer combination comprises at least one biodegradable polymer and at least one water soluble polymer,   wherein when the formulation of particles is deposited on a surface of internal body tissue the deposited formulation absorbs moisture from the tissue and forms a film over the surface, and   wherein the film is capable of reducing or preventing adhesion of the surface to other body tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the particles swell and overlap when the particles absorb moisture, wherein the swelling and overlap facilitates the formation of the film that reduces or prevents the adhesion. 
     
     
         3 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein a mean size of the plurality of particles is between 700 nm and 200 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles is in the form of a dry powder. 
     
     
         5 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles is uniformly suspended in a liquid, wherein the liquid has a boiling point below 0° C. 
     
     
         6 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles comprises particles that are a homogeneous blend the at least one biodegradable polymer and the at least one water soluble polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles comprise a mixture of particles composed of the at least one biodegradable polymer and the at least one water soluble polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles comprises particles that have a core composed of a core polymer and a shell composed of a shell polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The formulation of  claim 8 , wherein the core polymer comprises the at least one biodegradable polymer and the shell polymer comprises the at least one water soluble polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The formulation of  claim 8 , wherein the core polymer comprises the at least one water soluble polymer and the shell polymer comprises the at least one biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         11 . The formulation of  claim 8 , wherein the core polymer comprises a blend of the at least one water soluble polymer and the at least one biodegradable polymer and the shell polymer comprises the at least one biodegradable polymer or the at least one water soluble polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one water soluble polymer is selected from the group consisting of PEG, PEG block copolymers, sucrose, starch, alginate, PVP, PVA, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one biodegradable polymer is selected from the group 50/50 PLGA and 70/30 PLGA. 
     
     
         14 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer combination is selected from the group consisting of 70/30 PLGA and PVA; chitosan and PVA; and Chitosan, PVP, and PLGA. 
     
     
         15 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of particles further comprise a therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of an anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, hemostatic, chemotherapeutic, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the film loses strength at a time between 30-60 days after the absorption of the moisture. 
     
     
         17 . A method of generating an adhesion barrier comprising:
 providing a plurality of particles comprising at least one biodegradable polymer;   delivering the plurality of particles to a surface of internal body tissue; and   allowing the delivered particles to form an adhesion barrier film on the surface that reduces or preventing adhesion between the surface and other bodily tissue.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the deposited particles absorb moisture from the tissue and swell to facilitate formation of the film. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of particles further comprise at least one water soluble polymer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of particles are delivered as a suspension in a gas. 
     
     
         21 - 27 . (canceled)