Are there any known applications for fast degrading embolic agents?

[ChemEngineer Researcher]

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I work in a polymer chemistry laboratory and we have a hydrogel that is biodegradable, swells, and degrades rapidly in water. Does any know of any medical application where an embolic agent would be needed for only 20 minutes - 2 hours? Many of the uses I have found are for longer temporary occlusion, (~2-4 weeks), extremely short occlusion (5-10 min) or permanent blocking of vessels.

 

[Chuco]

Yes, drug delivery (chemoembolization) in liver tumors. You could deliver the drug and the biodegradable nature of the embolic will allow patency of the vessel. That is one big area. I can also think of uses under the concept of hepatic redistribution, while trying to improve flow through a given vessel by blocking collaterals.

I'm actually consulting for a company that is trying to bring something like this to the US market (the product currently has CE Mark).