Compositions and methods for treating an intervertebral disc using bulking agents or sealing agents

摘要

Effective compositions and methods for treating an intervertebral disc are provided. The compositions and methods comprise a bulking agent or sealing agent, the bulking agent or sealing agent adapted to be administered at or within the intervertebral disc, the bulking or sealing agent having a drug depot comprising an effective amount of a therapeutic agent disposed therein, wherein the drug depot is capable of releasing an effective amount of the therapeutic agent over a period of at least one day.

主权项

1. A composition for treating an intervertebral disc in a patient in need of such treatment, the composition comprising a bulking agent or sealing agent comprising polyvinylalcohol in the form of fibers, the bulking or sealing agent comprises pendent chains comprising crosslinkable groups of N-acrylamidoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal in an amount of 6 to 21 crosslinkers per polyvinylalcohol, the bulking agent or sealing agent adapted to be administered at or within the intervertebral disc to treat leakage and/or augment the intervertebral disc, the bulking or sealing agent having a plurality of drug depots that are uniformly distributed within the bulking or sealing agent, the drug depots each comprising an effective amount of a therapeutic agent disposed therein, wherein the drug depots each comprise a biopolymer comprising polylactide (PLA) and polyglycolide (PGA), the biopolymer comprising at least 80% PLA, the remainder of the biopolymer being PGA, wherein the biopolymer comprises at least 50 wt % of the composition, and the drug depots are capable of releasing an effective amount of the therapeutic agent over a period of 3 to 45 days.