Photoinitiated tissue filler

Abstract

Visible light-activated polymer cosmetic filler preparations useful in a variety of applications are provided. In some embodiments, the photo-activated polymer composition comprises a conventional polymeric material, such as HA, together with a modified, cross-linkable polymer, such as PEG or PEODA, to permit the formation of crosslinks within the polymer matrix in situ on exposure to a visible light source, such as an IPL device. The preparations provide for a more stabilized composition that is contourable during gelation.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A method of repairing or augmenting soft tissue in a subject, the method comprising a. injecting into a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a biodegradable, polymerizable macromer, the macromer comprising a water soluble polymer modified with one or more biodegradable moieties; and b. polymerizing the macromer to provide a hydrogel wherein the hydrogel to soft tissue have a normalized compliance ratio of from about 0.05 to about 3, thus repairing or augmenting the soft tissue. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the compliance ratio is from about 0.1 to about 2.0 relative to the soft tissue. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the compliance ratio is from about 0.1 to about 1.0 relative to the soft tissue. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the macromer is polymerized by irradiating through the skin of the subject with visible light. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the subject is irradiated with visible light for from about 10 seconds to about 120 seconds. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the subject is irradiated with visible light for at least about 30 seconds. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the subject is irradiated with visible light for at least about 40 seconds. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the macromer is polymerized by irradiating the subject with blue-green light. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the macromer is polymerized by irradiating the subject with thermal energy. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the water soluble polymer is PEG. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the PEG has a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 35,000 Daltons. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the macromer is biodegradable. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the macromer comprises a plurality of hydrolysable linkages. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the hydrolyzable linkages are selected from the group consisting of esters or carbonates. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the water soluble polymer is modified with an poly (L-lactide) and poly (trimethylene carbonate) and an acrylate endcap. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the water soluble polymer is PEG. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the composition further comprises a photo-initiator. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the photoinitiator is a dye. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein the dye is eosin. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the composition further comprises a rheology modifier. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the rheology modifier is HA or CMC. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the composition is substantially free of organic solvent. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the hydrogel has a strain or elongation before fracture substantially similar to the expected strain during normal use of the soft tissue to which it augments or repairs. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the hydrogel has a strain or elongation before fracture greater than the expected strain during normal use of the soft tissue to which it augments or repairs. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the hydrogel has a reversible elongation at least about 150% as great as an expected strain of the soft tissue which is augments or repairs. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the hydrogel has an elastic modulus which is less than about 150 kPa. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the hydrogen has an ultimate yield stress of from about 500 to about 2,000 psi. 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the macromer is injected subdermally. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the macromer is polymerized by irradiating least a part of the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the skin is irradiated for at least about 30 seconds. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein the macromer is injected intradermally. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the macromer is polymerized by irradiating at least a part of the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the skin is irradiated for at least about 30 seconds. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising shaping the macromer. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the macromer is shaped during polymerization of the macromer. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the macromer is polymerized by irradiating through the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 37 , comprising repeating steps a) and b) of claim  1  at least one time. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 37 , comprising repeating steps a) and b) of claim  1  at least two times. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the subject is a mammal. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 37 , the method comprising repairing facial tissue. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , the method comprising decreasing the appearance of at least one facial line, wrinkle, crease, or fold. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 37 , the method comprising augmenting breast, lip, cheek, chin, forehead, buttocks, hand, neck or earlobe tissue in a subject. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 37 , the method comprising decreasing the appearance of a dermal dimple. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the dimple is a component of a scar. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the composition is administered with a red tinted syringe. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the soft tissue remains substantially augmented or repaired for at least about 1 month. 
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein the soft tissue remains substantially augmented or repaired for at least about 2 months. 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the soft tissue remains substantially augmented or repaired for at least about 6 months. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the hydrogel elicits a mild fibrotic response in the subject. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the composition comprises a two part system, and wherein the polymerization is initiated via a redox system. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the polymerization occurs over a period of from about 30 seconds to about 2 minutes. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the composition further comprises a drug such as an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, an analgesic, a vitamin such as E, C, A, D or K, an anti-oxidant, an alpha hydroxyl acid such as lactic acid or a polymer capable of releasing such drug, vitamin, anti oxidant or alpha-hydroxyacid or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         90 . A method of repairing or augmenting soft tissue in a subject, the method comprising a. injecting into a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a biodegradable, polymerizable macromer, the macromer comprising a water soluble polymer modified with one or more biodegradable moieties; and b. polymerizing the macromer to provide a hydrogel, thus repairing or augmenting the soft tissue.