Bioactive PEG-Polyester Block Copolymer for Drug Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature-sensitive hydrogels for drug delivery and tissue engineering lack functional groups, limiting their ability for stable drug loading and controlled release, and can cause side effects due to protein adsorption and undesirable degradation products.

Innovation Solution

A temperature-sensitive polyethylene glycol/polyester block copolymer with a lactide segment and various bioactive functional groups introduced into its side chain, allowing for controlled temperature sensitivity and stable drug loading through interaction with drugs, and potential use in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional temperature-sensitive hydrogels are used for drug delivery, then they exhibit temperature-sensitive behavior and biodegradability, but they lack functional groups for stable drug loading and controlled release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrug loading capabilityVSAvoiddrug release control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) at local positions along the polyester chain to provide targeted drug interaction sites. This local functionalization enables stable drug loading through specific interactions while maintaining the overall temperature-sensitive gel structure for controlled release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polymer structure combining polyethylene glycol blocks with functionalized polyester blocks. This composite approach integrates the temperature-sensitive behavior of PEG with the drug-loading capability of functional groups, achieving both reliable drug delivery control and versatile drug loading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional biodegradable polyesters are used, then they are biocompatible and biodegradable, but they cause side effects such as protein adsorption and unwanted modification of drugs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidprotein adsorption and drug modification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the polyester by introducing specific functional groups that change its interaction properties with proteins and drugs. These parameter changes reduce harmful interactions while maintaining biodegradability and biocompatibility, as the functional groups can be selected to minimize unwanted side effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If functional groups are introduced into polyester through copolymerization, then drug loading capability is improved, but the complexity of the polymer structure and degradation product control becomes limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional group introductionVSAvoidpolymer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the polymer into distinct functional regions: polyethylene glycol blocks for temperature sensitivity and biocompatibility, and functionalized polyester blocks for drug loading. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure design while achieving multiple functions, avoiding the complexity of fully copolymerized structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 introduction of bioactive functional groups into the polyethylene glycol/polyester block copolymer enables controlled temperature-sensitive behavior, stable drug loading, and biocompatibility, addressing the limitations of existing hydrogels by enhancing biodegradability and reducing side effects.

Implementation Method 1

block copolymers of a biodegradable and temperature-sensitive polyethylene glycol with a biodegradable ester such as caprolactone, lactide, p-dioxanone and trimethylene carbonate, which exhibit different sol-to-gel phase transition behaviors depending on temperature and concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

These studies present biocompatible and biodegradable block copolymers that can be degraded to biological metabolites through dissolution, chemical hydrolysis, etc. and cleared from human body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS9006349B2Temperature-sensitive polyethylene glycol / polyester block copolymer in which bioactive functional group is introduced into side chain thereof

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 MEDIPOLYMER

AI summary

The present invention relates to preparation and application of a temperature-sensitive polyethylene glycol/polyester block copolymer having a bioactive functional group introduced into a side chain thereof. More specifically, it relates to a temperature-sensitive polyethylene glycol/polyester block copolymer including a lactide segment having a bioactive functional group introduced into a side chain thereof and a method for preparing same. The temperature-sensitive polyethylene glycol/polyester block copolymer according to the present invention having a bioactive functional group introduced into a side chain thereof can be widely used as a drug delivery system, a support for tissue engineering, an adhesion inhibitor, etc.