Hyaluronic acid and polyalkylene glycol (PAG) based materials have been
found to exhibit a synergistic interaction, in which the viscosity of the
mixture is more than twice as high as the viscosity expected from the
viscosity of the individual components. The mixture otherwise has similar
properties to those of its constituents, and in particular will crosslink
to form covalently crosslinked gels if the PEG carries crosslinkable
groups. The viscous formulation adheres well to tissue, and has
applications as a tissue sealant and in tissue coating, prevention of
adhesions, cell immobilization, regeneration of cartilage, bone and other
tissue, as well as in controlled delivery of hyaluronic acid to sites in
the body. Related materials exhibit similar effects.