This technology is available from Temarex Corporation.

WOUND HEALING AND CONNECTIVE TISSUE RESTORATION

Title:DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RESTORATION OF CONNECTIVE TISSUE

Inventor(s):T. Conway, E. Morra, P. Morra

Disclosure 234 U.S. Patent not yet issued

Disclosure 234-DIV U.S. Patent not yet issued

This innovation is an expansible sleeve for rejoining and/or bracing damaged connective tissue such as ligaments, tendons, muscles and the like.The sleeve is formed from a plurality of elongate members of biocompatible material which are interwoven into an open mesh structure which concurrently undergoes axial expansion and radial contraction when subjected to axial loads. The expansible sleeve allows small movements and small axial loads to be transferred through the damaged connective tissue thereby promoting rapid restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged tissue, while transferring larger, potentially injurious, axial loads around the damaged connective tissue and through the sleeve.

The invention provides a device and method whereby restoration of damaged connective tissue can be more easily achieved and which is generally less intrusive and traumatic than conventional techniques.

This innovation provides surgeon with a device which allows them to select and apply a treatment which promotes optimal healing. In addition, this new innovation overcomes limitations to current existing technology and procedures, as well as speeds-up the recovery rate in patients and decreases overall patient medical costs.

Title:POLYSACCHARIDE-BOUND NITRIC OXIDE-NUCLEOPHILE ADDUCTS

Inventor(s):D. Smith, D. Chakravarthy, L. Keefer

Disclosure 233-CIP U.S. Patent not yet issued

A polymeric composition capable of releasing nitric oxide, in a controlled manner for effective dosing, comprises a polysaccharide including a nitric-oxide releasing N2O2- functional group bound to the polymer; pharmaceutical compositions including the polymeric composition; and methods for treating biological disorders in which dosage with nitric oxide is beneficial.

The composition can be used as and\or incorporated into implants, injectables, condoms, prosthesis coatings, patches, and the like for use in a wide variety of medical applications.

Title: POLYMERIC WOUND HEALING ACCELERATORS

Inventor(s):D. Smith, S. Pulfer, and M. Shabani

Disclosure 233 U.S. Patent 5,519,020

A new class of Nitric Oxide (NO) NONOates for use as polymeric wound healing accelerators have been developed.The invention describes water insoluble polymeric NONOate complexes which are capable of accelerating wound repair through the controlled therapeutic release of NO.The composition is additionally indicated to be capable of containing an absorbent material, optionally with a matrix material included.

Previous work has shown that insufficient NO synthesis at the wound site is a key factor in impaired wound healing, and that soluble NONOate complexes can migrate away from the surface of the wound, and potentially cause detrimental systemic effects.This invention involves polymer/NO adducts that are insoluble, non-toxic, and exhibit a long, controlled release of NO in aqueous solution.

In addition, controlled topical delivery of NO to the local wound environment may be a new therapy for accelerating the healing of both chronic and normal wounds, and may also be a crucial component of a new generation of wound dressings, since few controlled release drugs are currently available.

The polymeric NONOates used in the wound healing studies have the following desired properties: (1) they are stable solids; (2) are water insoluble; (3) yield NO without redox activation; (4) are kinetically well-behaved (1st order NO release); and (5) can be formulated into various physical structures.The studies have shown the ability to promote healing for all lesions, including all erupting ulcerations in the skin through the controlled release of topically applied NO polymeric complexes.

Title:HYDROLYTICALLY LABILE MICROSPHERES OF POLYSACCHARIDE CROSSLINKED WITH CYANOGEN HALIDE AND THEIR APPLICATION IN WOUND DRESSINGS

Inventor(s):D. Smith, D. Chakravarthy

Disclosure 188 U.S. Patent 5,549,908

A water swellable and hydrolytically labile (and therefore potentially biodegradable) non-toxic crosslinked polysaccharide in microsphere or bead form.The crosslinked polysaccharide comprises polysaccharide chains and crosslinking groups which are imidocarbonate groups, carbonate groups or a mixture thereof.The microspheres are predominantly in the range of about 1 micron to about 100 microns in diameter, preferably about 2 - 50 microns.

The crosslinked polysaccharide polymer, which is preferably a crosslinked dextran, is formed by treating water soluble non-crosslinked polysaccharide with a cyanogen halide (preferably cyanogen bromide) in an aqueous alkaline medium which is the disperse phase of a water-in-oil dispersion.

The microspheres are useful in the treatment of wounds, in particular as an absorptive agent for wound exudates.The microspheres may be formed into a wound dressing which includes a blend of the microspheres and a hydrophobic adhesive matrix material on a waterproof backing sheet.

Possible other applications of this technology include drug delivery systems for topical applications, and carbohydrate based drugs.

Title:MEDICAL GRADE ADHESIVES AND THEIR PREPARATION

Inventor(s):D. J. Smith, O. Mascarenhas

Disclosure 119 U.S. Patent 5,175,246

Crosslinked hydrogel polymers are made by reacting a disubstituted aliphatic diamine with one or more diepoxides and subjecting the resulting non-crosslinked polymer having repeating units to crosslinking conditions to produce the desired crosslinked hydrogel polymer.Hydrogel polymers thus produced are highly hydrophilic with a high degree of water uptake and a high equilibrium water content. In addition, these hydrogel polymers are highly absorptive of fluids and are adhesive when applied to dry surfaces but not when applied to wet surfaces.

Ideally suitable for use in wound dressings, EKG gels, and other biomedical applications due to the non-toxic, skin compatible, and hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive hydrogels.

Sample180o Peel Force (N)Glass SkinUA #112.02 +/- 0.10 3.45 +/- 0.21UA #213.61 +/- 0.150.97 +/- 0.39BioclusiveTM (J&J)7.38 +/- 0.591.31 +/- 0.22TegadermTM (3M)4.90 +/- 0.581.15 +/- 0.16FassonTM (Avery)9.39 +/ -0.591.30 +/- 0.09SemexTM (Cargocaire)11.56 +/- 0.342.64 +/- 0.27Hy-TapeTM (Surgical Products Corp.) 10.71 +/- 0.490.79 +/- 0.20

Title:MACROPHAGE STIMULATION BY HOMOLOG OR ANALOG OF QUADROL

Inventor(s):D. Smith, S. Patel, E. Rowland

Disclosure 71 U.S. Patent 4,778,825 Disclosure 71-CIP U.S. Patent 4,937,269

Quadrol and homologs and analogs thereof have been found to stimulate macrophage activity in warm blooded animals.As a consequence, these compounds may be used to combat bacterial infection, remove degenerated tissue, and promote new tissue growth. Quadrol or a homolog or analog thereof may be applied topically,e.g., as the active agent in a wound dressing.The active compounds may be represented by the formula (I)

R3 R1

N(CH2)nN

R4 R2

wherein R1 and R2 are substituted alkyl (C2-C6) in which the substituents include one or more hydroxyl groups attached to carbon atoms other than the alpha carbon atom, R3 and R4 are alkyl or substituted alkyl (C1-C6), and n=2 to about 6.Preferably, R1 through R4 are the same and are 2-hydroxyalkyl.