One aspect of the present invention generally relates to methods of sealing a wound or tissue plane or filling a void splace. In a preferred embodiment, the wound is an ophthalmic, pleural or dural wound. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane comprises a polyalkyleneamine. In a preferred embodiment, the polyalkyleneamine is polyethyleneimine. Treatment of the polyethyleneimine with a cross-linking
reagent causes the polyethyleneimine polymers to polymerize forming a seal. In certain instances, the cross-linking
reagent is a
polyethylene glycol having reactive terminal groups. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are activated esters, such as N-hydroxy
succinimide ester. In certain instances, the reactive terminal groups are isocyanates. In certain instances, the polyethyleneimine has a
lysine,
cysteine, isocysteine or other nucleophilic group attached to the periphery of the
polymer. In certain instances, the polyethyleneimine is mixed with a second
polymer, such as a
polyethylene glycol containing nucleophilic groups. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane are formed by reacting a polyalkyleneamine bearing electrophilic groups with a cross-linking
reagent containing nucleophilic groups. In certain instances, the electrophilic groups on the polyalkyleneamine are activated esters, such as N-hydroxy
succinimide ester. In certain instances, the compositions used to seal the wound or tissue plane are formed by reacting a polyalkyleneamine bearing photopolymerizable groups with
ultraviolet or visibile light. Compositions used to seal the wound which contain PEI or a derivative of PEI are found to adhere tightly to the tissue. Other aspects of the present invention relate to methods of filling a void of a patient or adhering tissue. In certain instances, the methods use a polyalkyleneamine. In a preferred embodiment, the polyalkyleneamine is polyethyleneimine. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a polymeric composition formed by exposing a polyalkyleneamine to an activated polyalkylene glycol. In certain instances, the composition is attached to
mammalian tissue.