Compositions and methods for treating bone fractures

Abstract

Provided herein are compositions and methods for treating bone fractures. In particular, provided herein are systems comprising carbon fiber sleeves and biocompatible polymers and the use of such systems in treating or preventing bone fractures.

1 .- 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A method of treating, stabilizing, or preventing a bone fracture or strengthening a bone, comprising:
 a. making at least one hole through said bone; and   b. inserting a fiber tube in said first hole; and   c. filling said fiber tube with a biocompatible polymer.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said at least one hole comprises first and second holes, and wherein a first of said holes is placed on the proximal side of said bone fracture and a second of said holes is on the distal side of said bone fracture, and wherein said fiber tube is placed between said first and second holes. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said fiber tube is a carbon fiber tube, an ultrathin layer of carbon fabric, or a double layered bag comprising outer porous carbon fiber layer and inner non-porous carbon fiber layer. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said fiber tube comprises one or more surface modifications selected from the group consisting of electrochemical, chemical, thermal, discharge plasma, and radiation treatment. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said surface modifications comprise antimicrobial agents selected from the group consisting of cationic groups such as quaternary ammonium compounds, metal-based antimicrobials such as silver or bismuth, polymer-based antimicrobials such as polyhexamethylene biguanide, and oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said carbon fiber tube is pre-impregnated with a resin system at a temperature below the physiological temperature and resin system polymerizes at physiological temperature after insertion of said carbon fiber tube in said bone. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said biocompatible polymer is selected from the group consisting of calcium phosphate, poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid, polyanhydrides, polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyurethane (PU), polyamide (nylon), polyethylenterephthalate (PET), polyethersulfone (PES), polycarbonates (PC), polyetherimide (PEI), Polycaprolactone (PCL), and mineralized bone particles (MBP). 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said biocompatible polymer comprises a depolymerization agent selected from the group consisting of gold nanoparticles, photolabile crosslinkers, degradable crosslinkers such as 1,4-diacetylbenzene 1,4-bis(O-methacryloyl)dioxime and 1,3,5-triacetylbenzene 1,3,5-tris(O-methacryloyl)trioxime. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said biocompatible polymer is pre-compressed before filling, is an expansive polymer, and comprises a carbon fiber reinforcing component. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said inserting said fiber tube comprises the steps of creating holes that are drilled or using laparoscopy, inserting said carbon fiber tube in said first of said holes and drawing said carbon fiber tube via a lead wire that exits said second of said holes. 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein said fiber tube or said biocompatible polymer further comprises one or more active agents selected from the group consisting of a drug, antimicrobial agent, antibiotic, bone healing promoting agent, chemotherapeutic agent, or bone precursor such as osteoblast or osteoclast. 
     
     
         64 . A method of treating, stabilizing, or preventing a bone fracture or strengthening a bone, comprising:
 a. making at least one hole through said bone; and   b. inserting a fiber tube in said first hole; and   c. filling said fiber tube with a biocompatible polymer   
       wherein said fiber tube is either permanent or said fiber tube is removal. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said fiber is removed by exposing said gold nanoparticles to radiofrequency or said photolabile crosslinkers to UV light. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein at least one physical property of said biocompatible polymer is altered by an external stimulus that is either electrical or thermal energy. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said fiber tube is configured to resist compressive, torsional, and shear forces when placed in a bone, conforms to the shape of a bone cavity in said bone, or is configured to retain tube shape after placement in said bone. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said fracture is selected from the group consisting of stable fractures, open, compound fractures, transverse fractures, oblique fractures, and comminuted fractures. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said fracture is in a bone selected from the group consisting of the clavicle, sternum, phalanges, metacarpals, radius, ulna, hip, femur, tibia, and fibula. 
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said treating, stabilizing, or preventing a bone fracture or strengthening a bone is for human or non-human animal that has a bone injury, has increased risk of a bone fracture, has overuse condition, has cancer or osteoporosis. 
     
     
         71 . A kit or system, comprising:
 a. a fiber tube; and   b. a biocompatible polymer; and   c. one or more of a guide wire; an implant retrieval system; and a fiber reinforcing component.   
     
     
         72 . The kit or system of  claim 71  for use in treating, stabilizing, or preventing a bone fracture or strengthening a bone.