Radioactive compositions and methods of use thereof

Abstract

This relates to a composition for forming a radioactive material suitable for use in medicinal purposes. The invention relates to radioactive polymeric materials and radioactive vaso-occlusive devices. The invention also relates to radioactive, biodegradable occlusive agents which may be made from a precursor composition containing at least one biodegradable, polymeric component and at least one radioactive material. The occlusive agent may further include bioactive materials and/or known vaso-occlusive devices.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising a polymeric component and at least one radioactive material.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the radioactive material is dispersed throughout the polymeric component.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the radioactive material is deposited onto the surface of the polymeric component.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric component is biodegradable.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the radioactive material is fluoroscopically visible in situ.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the radioactive material is bioactive.  
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the polymeric component comprises a biodegradable polymer selected from biodegradable polyesters.  
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the biodegradable polyesters are selected from polyglycolic acids, polylactic acids, and their copolymers.  
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a biologically active material.  
     
     
         10 . A composition for occluding an anatomical cavity comprising 
 (a) a polymeric occlusion-forming component and    (b) a radioactive material, wherein said polymer precipitates when introduced into the anatomical cavity.    
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the polymeric occlusion-forming component comprises a biodegradable component reactively forming a polymer mass when introduced into the anatomical cavity.  
     
     
         12 . A vaso-occlusive device comprising the composition of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         13 . A vaso-occlusive device of  claim 12 , further comprising a mechanical vaso-occlusive device.  
     
     
         14 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical vaso-occlusive device is a coil.  
     
     
         15 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 14 , wherein the composition of  claim 1  is wound or braided onto said coil.  
     
     
         16 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 14 , wherein the composition of  claim 1  is coated onto said coil.  
     
     
         17 . The vaso-occlusive device of  claim 14  wherein the coil is radioactive.  
     
     
         18 . A vaso-occlusive device comprising a radioactive polymer, radioactive metal or mixture thereof.  
     
     
         19 . A vaso-occlusive device comprising the composition of  claim 10  and a mechanical vaso-occlusive device.  
     
     
         20 . A solid occlusive mass comprising a radioactive material and a biodegradable polymer.  
     
     
         21 . The occlusive mass of  claim 20 , wherein the biodegradable polymer is a polyester.  
     
     
         22 . The occlusive mass of  claim 21  wherein the polyester is selected from the group consisting of polygylcolic acids, polylactic acids and their copolymers.  
     
     
         23 . The occlusive mass of  claim 22 , further comprising a bioactive material.  
     
     
         24 . The occlusive mass of  claim 23 , wherein bioactive material is selected from the group consisting of collagen, fibrinogen, vitronectin, plasma proteins, growth factors, synthetic peptides of these and other proteins having attached RGD (arginine-glycin'e-aspartic acid) residues at one or both termini, cell adhesion peptides, oligonucleotides, full or partial DNA constructs, natural or synthetic phospholipids, polymers with phosphorylcholine functionality, and polynucleotide sequences encoding peptides (e.g., genes) involved in wound healing or promoting cellular attachment.  
     
     
         25 . A kit for forming a composite biologically active anatomical occlusion in an anatomical cavity, comprising: 
 a) at least one solid vaso-occlusive device, and    b.) a liquid precursor composition comprising: 
 i.) a biodegradable, polyester material and  
 ii.) a radioactive material, wherein said liquid precursor composition forms a radioactive occlusion mass when introduced into the anatomical cavity.  
   
     
     
         26 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the liquid precursor composition further comprises a bioactive material.  
     
     
         27 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein said at least one solid vaso-occlusive device comprises a coil.  
     
     
         28 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein said biodegradable polyesters are selected from polyglycolic acids, polylactic acids, polycaprolactone, and their copolymers and their copolymers with trimethylene carbonate.  
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the biodegradable polymer is selected from polyhydroxybutyrate and polyhydroxyvalerate and their copolymers.  
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the biodegradable polymer is a polyanhydride.  
     
     
         31 . The kit of  claim 25 , wherein the liquid precursor composition further comprises a biologically tolerated solvent.  
     
     
         32 . A procedure for at least partially filling an anatomical cavity comprising the steps of: 
 a.) introducing the composition of  claim 10  into said anatomical vessel; and    b.) precipitating said biodegradable, polymeric occlusion-forming component and said biologically active component into said biologically active occlusion mass in said anatomical cavity.    
     
     
         33 . The procedure of  claim 32 , further comprising the prior step of introducing a mechanical vaso-occlusive device into said anatomical cavity.