Amorphous State Preservation Using Choline Hydrogen Phosphate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for preserving biological materials in the amorphous state are prone to crystallization, which can lead to degradation and require cryogenic storage, increasing costs and logistical challenges due to the meta-stable nature of glassy states.

Innovation Solution

Combining biomaterials with a preservative composition comprising a sugar or sugar alcohol and choline hydrogen phosphate (HPO4−2), which suppresses crystallization by increasing the time to crystal formation in the presence of moisture, thereby stabilizing the amorphous state at various temperatures and humidities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If materials are preserved in the amorphous glassy state to avoid crystallization and degradation, then stability and shelf life are improved, but the meta-stable nature of the glassy state causes eventual conversion to crystal, worsening long-term stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of amorphous stateVSAvoidduration of amorphous state maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Choline hydrogen phosphate acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the amorphous sugar matrix and the biomaterial. It specifically suppresses the conversion from amorphous to crystalline state by interfering with the crystallization process, thereby extending the duration of amorphous state maintenance while preserving the stability benefits of the glassy state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the amorphous matrix by incorporating choline hydrogen phosphate at specific ratios (0.1-10 mol%). This parameter change modifies the physical-chemical properties of the glassy state, increasing its kinetic stability and delaying the thermodynamic drive toward crystallization, thus extending the duration the amorphous state can be maintained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If cryogenic temperatures are used to preserve biological materials, then stability and viability are improved, but production, storage, and transport costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviability of biologicsVSAvoidcost of preservation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the storage temperature parameter from cryogenic ranges to ambient or refrigerated ranges by incorporating choline hydrogen phosphate in the amorphous matrix. This parameter change enables preservation at higher temperatures while maintaining biomaterial viability, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of cold chain infrastructure for manufacture, storage, and transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If sugars are used to form glasses at ambient conditions for preservation, then ease of operation is improved, but deviations from ideal temperatures and humidities cause samples to come out of the glassy state, worsening stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of preservation at ambient conditionsVSAvoidstability under varying conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Choline hydrogen phosphate serves as a protective intermediary that stabilizes the amorphous sugar glass against environmental variations. It acts as a crystallization suppressor that maintains the amorphous state even when temperature and humidity deviate from ideal conditions, thereby preserving both ease of operation at ambient conditions and stability under varying conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The choline hydrogen phosphate is incorporated beforehand into the amorphous matrix to provide preemptive protection against crystallization. This prior cushioning effect creates a buffer that resists the destabilizing effects of temperature and humidity variations, allowing the system to maintain stability while operating under easier ambient conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 use of choline hydrogen phosphate effectively delays crystallization, maintaining the amorphous state for extended periods, reducing the need for cryogenic storage and lowering costs associated with preserving biological materials.

Implementation Method 1

combining the sugar or sugar alcohol with a salt comprising choline hydrogen phosphate (HPO4−2) in an amount effective to increase the amount of time to formation of crystals in the composition when in the amorphous state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystallization suppression: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentUS9930883B2Compositions and methods for preservation of materials in the amorphous state

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTETHE

AI summary

The present disclosure provides methods and compositions including a sugar and a choline hydrogen phosphate salt for preservation and stabilization of materials in the amorphous state. The compositions and methods suppress the formation of crystals in materials in the amorphous state.