Implants

SurModics has developed a variety of biodegradable and durable polymer-based implants for applications such as mechanical scaffolds, drug delivery depots, space fillers, and other broad applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Both in situ forming devices and pre-formed devices (such as filaments, rods, stents, coils, scaffolds, and foams) are possible.

Key features of SurModics’ implant capability include: 

      
  • Ability to deliver small-to-large molecule drugs
  • Variety of shapes can be formed for most materials
  • Tunable elution and degradation
  • Shape memory properties
  • Enzymatically controlled surface-mediated degradation
  • Bulk-eroding degradation

SurModics’ implant solutions include the Eureka family of naturally biodegradable nano-engineered polysaccharides, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)s and polycaprolactone polymers, and I-vation Sustained Drug Delivery System.

The Eureka matrix can deliver drugs with molecular weights ranging from a few hundred daltons to greater than 150,000 daltons. This matrix can be used to fabricate conformal devices and/or drug reservoirs with state-of-the-art performance in the areas of drug elution, drug compatibility, and biodegradation. Three distinct versions of this product line are available.

The Eureka™ DUET Biodegradable Device Matrix can be used to create a drug reservoir. The precursor reagents can be molded to form devices of many shapes. Additionally, the chemistry of the system can be engineered to produce devices that have shape memory without altering the biodegradation and drug compatibility features of the matrix. Its polysaccharide chemistry makes the matrix an ideal system for the in vivo stabilization and subsequent controlled release of therapeutic proteins. 

The Eureka™ DUET Biodegradable In Situ- Forming Matrix can be used to create a drug reservoir within the body. The precursor reagents can be delivered to an anatomical location of interest in a low viscosity form utilizing a needle or other minimally invasive procedure. The reagents set up quickly (in seconds) to form a drug reservoir. When placed in a physiologic environment, the matrix is degraded by enzyme-mediated digestion. The controlled degradation process and the polysaccharide structure make the matrix an ideal system for in vivo stabilization and subsequent controlled release of therapeutic proteins. The Eureka DUET matrix can be used on its own as, for instance, a liquid embolic or tissue-repair structure.

The Eureka™ SOLO Biodegradable Drug Delivery Device is ideally suited to provide localized drug delivery.  The Eureka SOLO device has high drug loading capacity that facilitates use of an extremely small implant, thereby allowing minimally-invasive delivery and flexibility in delivery-site options. When placed in a physiologic environment, the matrix is degraded by hydrolytic and enzyme-mediated digestion.

The bioresorbable, polyester implant solutions include use of lactide/glycolide copolymers (PLG), biomaterials with a long safety record as used in medical device products and long-acting, drug delivery products.  PLG implants can be designed to delivery small molecules and peptides for durations of days, weeks and months. The implants can be used for systemic delivery or local delivery. PLG implants can be configured as matrix formulations or they can be coextruded /coated with a rate-limted membrane.  During or after delivery of the active ingredient, the implant formulation completely resorbs by hydrolysis of the PLG.