Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A sterile, pyrogen-free, protein-free, non-antigenic, hyaluronic acid fraction having an average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, a protein content of less than 0.5% by weight, ultraviolet light absorbance of a 1% solution of the sodium salt thereof of less than 3.0 at 257 nanometers wavelength and less than 2.0 at 280 nanometers wavelength, a kinematic viscosity of a 1% solution of the sodium salt thereof in physiological buffer of greater than about 1000 centistokes and a molar optical rotation of a 0.1-0.2% solution of the sodium salt thereof in physiological buffer of less than -11 = 10 3 degree -- cm 2 /mole (of disaccharide) measured at 220 nonometers; and which is characterized by infiltration by no more than about 200 white blood cells per mm 3 of aqueous humor of the owl monkey eye when one milliliter of a 1% solution of the sodium salt of said fraction dissolved in physiological buffer is implanted in the vitreous replacing about one-half the existing liquid vitreous.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A sterile, pyrogen-free, protein-free, non-antigenic, hyaluronic acid fraction having an average molecular weight of at least about 750,000, a protein content of less than 0.5% by weight, ultraviolet light absorbance of a 1% solution of the sodium salt thereof of less than 3.0 at 257 nanometers wavelength and less than 2.0 at 280 nanometers wavelength, a kinematic viscosity of a 1% solution of the sodium salt thereof in physiological buffer of greater than about 1000 centistokes and a molar optical rotation of a 0.1-0.2% solution of the sodium salt thereof in physiological buffer of less than -11 = 10 3 degree -- cm 2 /mole (of disaccharide) measured at 220 nonometers; and which is characterized by infiltration by no more than about 200 white blood cells per mm 3 of aqueous humor of the owl monkey eye when one milliliter of a 1% solution of the sodium salt of said fraction dissolved in physiological buffer is implanted in the vitreous replacing about one-half the existing liquid vitreous.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A fraction according to claim 1, wherein the molecular weight is at least about 1,200,000 and the kinematic viscosity is greater than about 10,000 centistokes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sodium salt of the hyaluronic acid fraction according to claim 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method of improving pathological joint function in an animal by relieving pain, reducing inflammation and effecting the healing of an intraarticular wound associated therewith, said method comprising introducing by injection into an affected joint, an amount of hyaluronic acid according to claim 1, sufficient to increase the normal hyaluronic acid concentration in said joint by at least 5 times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method of enhancing normal joint and tendon function in an animal by lubricating said joint or tendon against excess stress during movement, said method comprising introducing into the synovial space associated with said joint or tendon an amount of the hyaluronic acid according to claim 1 sufficient to increase the normal hyaluronic concentration in said synovial space by at least 5 times.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the concentration is increased by a factor of 5 to 50 times.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said animal is a racing animal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of preventing post-operative adhesion which may occur between healing tissues during the normal healing process, said method comprising introducing into a surgical site, either during surgery or post-operatively, an amount of the hyaluronic acid according to claim 1 sufficient to establish and maintain at the surgical site a hyaluronic acid concentration of at least about 1% for a period of about 24 hours post-operatively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of separating healing tissues and maintaining said separation during the normal healing process after surgery, said method comprising introducing into a surgical site, either during surgery or post-operatively, an amount of the hyaluronic acid according to claim 1 sufficient to establish and maintain at the surgical site a hyaluronic acid concentration of at least about 1% for a period of about 24 hours post-operatively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method of protecting a layer of tissue during surgery on an adjacent layer of tissue, said method comprising introducing into the surgical site an amount of the hyaluronic acid according to claim 1 sufficient to prevent dislocation and movement of said tissue by providing a viscoelastic medium at the surgical site during said surgery.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A composition comprising the fraction according to claim 1 dissolved in a sterile physiological buffer solution containing NaCl, Na 2 HOP 4 .7H 2 O and NaH 2 PO 4 .H 2 O in pyrogen-free double distilled water.