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 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A formulation for generating an adhesion barrier film comprising:
 a plurality of particles comprising:   a combination of poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and alginate,   a combination of PLGA and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP),   a combination of PLGA and poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA),   a combination of PLGA and chitosan, or   a combination of chitosan and PVA;   
       wherein:
 the formulation is in the form of a dry powder, 
 the mean particle size is between about 700 nm and about 200 microns; and 
 when the formulation is deposited on a surface of internal body tissue the deposited formulation absorbs moisture from the tissue and forms an adhesion barrier film configured to be adhered to the surface, wherein the film is capable of reducing or preventing adhesion of the surface to other body tissue. 
 
     
     
         29 . The formulation of  claim 28 , 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. 
     
     
         30 . The formulation of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of particles is uniformly suspended in a liquid, wherein the liquid has a boiling point below 0° C. 
     
     
         31 . The formulation of  claim 28 , wherein when exposed to moisture, the particles absorb between 1 to 80 wt % water. 
     
     
         32 . The formulation of  claim 28 , wherein the film loses strength at a time between 30-60 days after the absorption of the moisture. 
     
     
         33 . The formulation of  claim 28 , further comprising a therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of an anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, hemostatic, chemotherapeutic, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The formulation of  claim 33 , wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is a corticosteroid. 
     
     
         35 . The formulation of  claim 28 , wherein the particles comprise PLGA, wherein the ratio of L-lactide to glycolide in the PLGA is from 10/90 to 85/15. 
     
     
         36 . The formulation of  claim 28 , wherein
 the PLGA is between about 10% to about 90% and the alginate is between about 10% to about 90%,   the PLGA is between about 10% to about 90% and the PVP is between about 10% to about 90%,   the PLGA is between about 10% to about 90% and the PVA is between about 10% to about 90%,   the PLGA is between about 10% to about 90% and the chitosan is between about 10% to about 90%, or   the chitosan is between about 10% to about 90% and the PVA is between about 10% to about 90%.   
     
     
         37 . The formulation of  claim 35 , wherein the particles comprise PLGA and alginate. 
     
     
         38 . The formulation of  claim 37 , wherein the particles comprise between about 10% to about 90% PLGA; and between about 10% to about 90% alginate. 
     
     
         39 . The formulation of  claim 35 , wherein the particles comprise PLGA and chitosan. 
     
     
         40 . The formulation of  claim 39 , wherein the particles comprise between about 10% to about 90% PLGA; and between about 10% to about 90% chitosan. 
     
     
         41 . The formulation of  claim 35 , wherein the particles comprise PLGA and PVA. 
     
     
         42 . The formulation of  claim 41 , wherein the particles comprise between about 10% to about 90% PLGA; and between about 10% to about 90% PVA. 
     
     
         43 . The formulation of  claim 28 , wherein the particles comprise one or more additional biodegradable polymers, water soluble polymers, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         44 . The formulation of  claim 37 , wherein the particles further comprise PVP or chitosan. 
     
     
         45 . The formulation of  claim 28 , wherein at least a portion of the plurality of particles is hygroscopic. 
     
     
         46 . The formulation of  claim 28 , the formulation further comprising an anti-inflammatory agent, wherein the biodegradable film has an anti-inflammatory effect such that inflammation is reduced or inhibited in a region of the surface of internal body tissue. 
     
     
         47 . The formulation of  claim 46 , wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is a corticosteroid. 
     
     
         48 . The formulation of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of particles is in the form of a dry powder.