Amino Acid Derivative Polymers for Tunable Bioabsorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomedical polymers, such as polyurethanes and polyesters, lack adequate performance properties for bioabsorption, flexibility, strength, and durability in surgical applications, and there is a need for polymers with tunable physical and biological properties for use in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and other medical devices.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel hydrolysable amino acid derivatives, isocyanates, and polyurethanes with controlled degradation profiles, which can be used to create absorbable polymers suitable for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and medical devices, including those with controlled release of drugs and nitric oxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If water-insoluble monomers with phenolic hydroxyl groups are used to create polymers, then mechanical strength is improved, but bioabsorbability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the monomer by replacing phenolic hydroxyl groups with carboxylic acid groups and introducing hydrolysable ester linkages into the polymer backbone. This parameter change transforms the polymer from water-insoluble to water-soluble, enabling bioabsorbability while maintaining mechanical strength through optimized polymer structure and composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polymer structures by incorporating hydrolysable ester linkages within the polymer backbone alongside aromatic rings. This composite approach allows the polymer to exhibit both mechanical strength from the aromatic structure and bioabsorbability from the hydrolysable ester bonds, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Strength
If fully aromatic polymer backbones are used, then mechanical strength is improved, but degradation rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fully aromatic backbone by introducing hydrolysable ester linkages at specific intervals within the polymer chain. This segmentation creates vulnerable points that enable controlled degradation while the aromatic segments between them maintain mechanical strength. The ester linkages act as sacrificial bonds that break down first, allowing the aromatic structure to provide structural support during the degradation process.
3Reliability
If synthetic degradable polymers like PGA and PLA are used, then bioabsorbability is improved, but processibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by introducing carboxylic acid groups and hydrolysable ester linkages, which improve bioabsorbability. Simultaneously, the aromatic structure and optimized composition maintain adequate processibility by providing structural rigidity and controlled degradation characteristics that facilitate manufacturing while enabling bioabsorbability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting polymers exhibit improved bioabsorbability, mechanical properties, and controlled degradation, making them suitable for a wide range of biomedical applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering, while ensuring safety and biocompatibility.
Implementation Method 1
discovery of new class of hydrolysable amino acid derivatives and absorbable polyester amides, polyamides, polyepoxides, polyureas and polyurethanes
Implementation Method 2
the previously described polymers prepared from the previously described water-insoluble monomers will not have any weight loss while the degradation of the polymer backbone results in the loss of mechanical strength and reduction in the polymer molecular weight
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the discovery of new class of hydrolysable amino acid derivatives and absorbable polyester amides, polyamides, polyepoxides, polyureas and polyurethanes prepared therefrom. The resultant absorbable polymers are useful for drug delivery, tissue engineering, tissue adhesives, adhesion prevention, bone wax formulations, medical device coatings, stents, stent coatings, highly porous foams, reticulated foams, wound care, cardiovascular applications, orthopedic devices, surface modifying agents and other implantable medical devices. In addition, these absorbable polymers should have a controlled degradation profile.