Imidated biopolymer adhesive and hydrogel

Abstract

Biologically compatible polymers carry an imide and can be used as an adhesive, a hydrogel or both. A second biologically compatible polymer reactive with the imidated polymer can be used therewith to seal openings.

1 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method for in situ polymerization of a biocompatible polymer in a tissue of the eye of a subject comprising:
 a) administering to the tissue of the eye of the subject a composition comprising a hydrophilic biologically compatible first polymer, wherein the first polymer is isolated and purified chondroitin sulfate and/or hyaluronic acid functionalized with an imide group, and optionally, at least one second hydrophilic biologically compatible polymer, wherein said second polymer comprises at least one amine group and is capable of reacting with the first polymer, the second polymer being selected from the group consisting of polypeptides, polysaccharides, carbohydrates, heparin sulfate, keratan sulfate, heparin, gelatin, collagen, albumin and copolymers, terpolymers or combinations or mixtures thereof; and   b) polymerizing the polymer in the subject.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first polymer is isolated and purified chondroitin sulfate functionalized with an imide group. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first polymer is isolated and purified hyaluronic acid functionalized with an imide group. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tissue is the cornea of the eye of the subject. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second polymer is keratan sulfate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second polymer is collagen. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating a corneal ectasia in the eye of a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the cornea, a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a hydrophilic biologically compatible first polymer, wherein the first polymer is isolated and purified chondroitin sulfate and/or hyaluronic acid functionalized with an imide group, for a sufficient period of time to allow polymerization of the tissue in the cornea. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first polymer is isolated and purified chondroitin sulfate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first polymer is isolated and purified hyaluronic acid. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition comprises between 1 to 20 mg/ml of isolated and purified chondroitin sulfate and/or hyaluronic acid functionalized with an imide group. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the composition is administered to the cornea for between about 10 minutes to about 2 hours. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the corneal ectasia is selected from the group consisting of keratoconus, keratoglobus, pellucid marginal degeneration, post-LASIK ectasia and Terrien's marginal degeneration. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the corneal ectasia is keratoconus. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein an additional biologically active agent is administered either before, concurrently, or after administration of the first polymer.