PREVENTING TISSUE ADHESION USING IN SITU MODIFICATION OF ALGINATE

摘要

A method of modifying salts of alginic acid (in situ) for prevention and treatment of various intra-articular and extra-articular (spine) complications modifies the alginate (in situ) to an insoluble gel. This (in situ) modification provides a final product which can be compressed within the intra-articular space thus remaining localized. The modified material can have varied mechanical strengths and thus varied degradation times and can serve as a matrix for localizing and slowly releasing therapeutic agents. The modified material is biocompatible and biodegrable, thus requiring no reoperation for removal.