Antithrombogenic Polymer for Medical Devices via Composite Monomer Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polymers used in medical devices, such as those containing glycerol groups, often suffer from insufficient antithrombogenicity, leading to issues like thrombus formation due to low affinity with biogenic substances and body tissues, and have handling challenges due to high cost and hygroscopicity.
Innovation Solution
Development of polymers with structural units derived from glycerol group-containing monomers and unsaturated monomers with organic groups bound to ethylenically unsaturated groups, exhibiting glass-transition temperatures of 10°C or less at saturated water content, which enhance antithrombogenicity and suppress platelet adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional polymers containing glycerol groups are used for medical devices, then substrate adhesion is improved, but antithrombogenicity is insufficient leading to thrombus formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining glycerol group-containing monomers (for adhesion) with specific unsaturated monomers having 4 or more carbon atoms (for antithrombogenicity). This creates a copolymer that integrates the beneficial properties of both monomer types, achieving both substrate adhesion and high antithrombogenicity simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by specifying precise monomer compositions: glycerol group-containing monomers at 1-50 mol% and unsaturated monomers with 4+ carbon atoms at 50-99 mol%. This parameter optimization ensures the polymer achieves both adequate adhesion and superior antithrombogenicity
2Reliability
If PMPC polymer with betaine structure is used for medical devices, then biocompatibility is improved, but handling becomes difficult due to high hygroscopicity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cost-effective monomers (glycerol group-containing monomers and common unsaturated monomers like butyl acrylate) to create a polymer that is both biocompatible and economically viable, replacing expensive alternatives like PMPC while maintaining clinical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by using specific monomer ratios and selecting monomers with appropriate hydrophobicity (4 or more carbon atoms), which reduces hygroscopicity while preserving biocompatibility and antithrombogenicity
3Ease of operation
If PMEA polymer is used for medical devices, then handling is improved, but substrate adhesion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite polymer structure combining glycerol group-containing monomers (which provide substrate adhesion through hydroxyl groups) with unsaturated monomers (which provide handling properties). The synergistic combination achieves both good adhesion and ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
To Provide is a polymer having high antithrombogenicity compared to a conventional polymer having a glycerol group and suitable as a medical device material. It is the polymer having a structural unit derived from a glycerol group-containing monomer, and a structural unit derived from an unsaturated monomer having a structure in which an organic group having a structure site having 4 or more carbon atoms continuously bound is bound to an ethylenically unsaturated group; and satisfying a glass-transition temperature of 10° C. or less and/or a glass-transition temperature of −25° C. or less at a saturated water content.