Shear-thinning compositions as an intravascular embolic agent

Abstract

This disclosure relates to methods of using shear-thinning compositions in the treatment of a vascular disorders, cancers, infections, abscesses, and fistulas.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A shear-thinning composition comprising:
 silicate nanoparticles;   gelatin or a derivative thereof; and   a contrast agent comprising metallic particles.   
     
     
         25 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 24 , wherein the gelatin or a derivative thereof comprises gelatin derived from a mammalian source. 
     
     
         26 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 25 , wherein the gelatin derived from a mammalian source comprises type-A porcine gelatin. 
     
     
         27 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 24 , wherein the shear-thinning composition comprises about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of gelatin or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 24 , wherein the shear-thinning composition comprises from about 2.25% to about 11% by weight of silicate nanoparticles. 
     
     
         29 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 24 , comprising about 1.5% to about 20% by weight of silicate nanoparticles. 
     
     
         30 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 29 , wherein a ratio of gelatin or a derivative thereof to silicate nanoparticles is from about 0.1 to about 1.0. 
     
     
         31 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 24 , wherein the diameter of the silicate nanoparticles is about 5 nm to about 60 nm. 
     
     
         32 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 24 , wherein the silicate nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of laponite, montmorillonite, saponite, hectorite, kaolinite, palygorskite, and sepiolite. 
     
     
         33 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 24 , further comprising a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         34 . A shear-thinning composition comprising:
 particles having an overall net negative charge;   gelatin or a derivative thereof; and   a contrast agent,   wherein the yield stress of the shear-thinning composition is from about 2 Pa to about 200 Pa.   
     
     
         35 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 34 , wherein the gelatin or a derivative thereof comprises gelatin derived from a mammalian source. 
     
     
         36 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 35 , wherein the gelatin derived from a mammalian source comprises type-A porcine gelatin. 
     
     
         37 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 34 , wherein the shear-thinning composition comprises about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of gelatin or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 34 , further comprising a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         39 . A shear-thinning composition comprising:
 particles having an overall net negative charge;   gelatin or a derivative thereof; and   a contrast agent comprising metallic particles.   
     
     
         40 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 39 , wherein the gelatin or a derivative thereof comprises gelatin derived from a mammalian source. 
     
     
         41 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 40 , wherein the gelatin derived from a mammalian source comprises type-A porcine gelatin. 
     
     
         42 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 39 , wherein the shear-thinning composition comprises about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of gelatin or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         43 . The shear-thinning composition of  claim 39 , further comprising a therapeutic agent.