Polymer particles

Abstract

Biodegradable, cross-linked polymer particle embolics and methods of making the same are described. The particle embolics can be used as embolization agents.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A polymer particle, comprising a spherical diameter between about 40 μm and about 1,200 μm, and a reaction product of a prepolymer solution including:
 at least one monomer including at least one functional group; and 
 at least one crosslinker including at least two functional groups. 
 
     
     
         2 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one crosslinker further includes at least one linkage susceptible to breakage to impart biodegradation to the polymer particle. 
     
     
         3 . The polymer particle of  claim 2 , wherein the biodegradation provides less than about 10% of the polymer particle intact after about 5 days. 
     
     
         4 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical diameter is between about 75 μm and about 1,200 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The polymer particle of  claim 2 , wherein the biodegradation is through hydrolysis or enzymatic action. 
     
     
         6 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one crosslinker is bis-glycidyl amino alcohol, 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein a, b, c, d, e, and f are each independently 1-20. 
       
     
     
         7 . The polymer particle of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one linkage is an ester, a thioester, a carbonate, a peptide cleavable by matrix metalloproteinases, a peptide cleavable by matrix collagenases, a peptide cleavable by matrix elastases, a peptide cleavable by matrix cathepsins, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one crosslinker is bis-glycidyl amino alcohol or bi-functionalized methacryloyl-Ala-Pro-Gly-Leu-AEE-methacrylate. 
     
     
         9 . The polymer particle of  claim 2 , including a second crosslinker including a second linkage selected from an ester, a thioester, a carbonate, a peptide cleavable by matrix metalloproteinases, a peptide cleavable by matrix collagenases, a peptide cleavable by matrix elastases, or a peptide cleavable by matrix cathepsins. 
     
     
         10 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one functional group is acrylate, acrylamide, methacrylate, or methacrylamide. 
     
     
         11 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer includes an ionizable functional group. 
     
     
         12 . The polymer particle of  claim 11 , wherein the ionizable functional group is basic or acidic. 
     
     
         13 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer is dimethylacrylamide and the at least one crosslinker is bis-glycidyl amino alcohol. 
     
     
         14 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one monomer is acrylamide and the at least one crosslinker is bi-functionalized methacryloyl-Ala-Pro-Gly-Leu-AEE-methacrylate. 
     
     
         15 . The polymer particle of  claim 1 , having a circularity greater than about 0.9. 
     
     
         16 . An embolic solution, including a plurality of the polymer particle of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . The embolic solution of  claim 16 , wherein the embolic solution is sterilized. 
     
     
         18 . The embolic solution of  claim 16 , including a radiopaque contrast agent. 
     
     
         19 . The embolic solution of  claim 16 , including a dye. 
     
     
         20 . A method, comprising administration of the embolic solution of  claim 16  to a location in a subject. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the location in the subject is a location in a vessel in the subject. 
     
     
         22 . A compound, selected from 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein a, b, c, d, e, and f are each independently 1-20. 
       
     
     
         23 . A polymer, comprising a reaction product of a prepolymer solution including:
 at least one monomer including at least one functional group; and   at least one crosslinker selected from   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein a, b, c, d, e, and f are each independently 1-20.