Bioabsorbable Self-Cohered Web Materials for Implantable Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioabsorbable polymeric web materials lack high porosity, mechanical strength, loft, suppleness, drapability, and tissue compliance, limiting their effectiveness in medical applications such as wound closure and reconstruction.
Innovation Solution
A synthetic bioabsorbable, non-woven, self-cohered polymeric web material with high porosity is developed by stretching unannealed precursor web materials in specific directions and heat-setting them, resulting in a structure with filaments less than 20 microns in diameter and greater than 90% porosity, which enhances mechanical strength and tissue compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bioabsorbable polymeric web materials are used, then the materials can be manufactured with standard porosity (40-80%), but they lack high porosity (>90%), mechanical strength, loft, suppleness, drapability, and tissue compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by stretching the unannealed precursor web in specific directions before heat-setting. This preliminary mechanical deformation creates the desired high porosity and filament orientation that contributes to mechanical strength and tissue compliance, while avoiding the need for complex multi-step processing after formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the stretch ratio, stretch rate, and heat-setting temperature to achieve the desired porosity and mechanical properties. By adjusting these parameters during processing, the material transitions from a dense state to a highly porous state with enhanced mechanical strength and biological performance
2Adaptability or versatility
If the web material is stretched to increase porosity, then loft and tissue compliance improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing specific ranges for stretch ratio (e.g., 2:1 to 10:1) and stretch rate (e.g., 10-50% per second) that balance tissue compliance with manufacturability. These parameter specifications allow for consistent production while achieving the desired biological performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs self-service by using the material's own thermal properties during heat-setting to stabilize the stretched structure. The heat-setting process naturally locks in the porosity and filament orientation without requiring external constraints or complex precision control mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing
3Adaptability or versatility
If filaments are made smaller than 20 microns to increase porosity, then tissue compliance improves, but mechanical strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple polymeric components with complementary properties. The blend includes at least one semi-crystalline polymeric component (providing strength) and one or more amorphous or semi-crystalline components (providing compliance and porosity), creating a composite that achieves both fine filament diameter and mechanical strength simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes local quality by creating regions of different density and porosity within the web structure. The stretched and heat-set process produces localized areas with enhanced mechanical strength alongside regions with high porosity, allowing the material to exhibit both fine filament characteristics and structural integrity
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 web material exhibits increased mechanical strength, loft, suppleness, and tissue compliance, making it suitable for implantable medical devices and thrombogenic applications, while being bioabsorbable and removable through natural physiological processes.
Implementation Method 1
a structure with filaments less than 20 microns in diameter and greater than 90% porosity
Implementation Method 2
heat-setting them, resulting in a structure with filaments less than 20 microns in diameter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2~2A
AI summary
The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.