Patent ID: 6605294
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: A61B,A61K,A61L

Abstract:
A method for anchoring an implant in a lumen or void in a body comprising:providing an article having at least one rod shaped portion polymerized from at least one macromer, the portion comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable crosslinked hydrogel that is absorbable in vivo, the rod portion having a first state wherein the hydrogel is at substantially less than an equilibrium level of hydration, and a second state wherein the hydrogel is substantially at the equilibrium level of hydration, the rod shaped portion undergoing volumetric expansion while transitioning to the second state; positioning the rod shaped portion in the lumen or void in the first state; and hydrating the rod shaped portion to transition the hydrogel to the second state so that the rod shaped portion undergoes sufficient volumetric expansion to become anchored within and occlude the lumen or void.