Bio-adhesive with Dual Oxidation-Resistant Catechol Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bio-adhesives lack the ability to achieve a desired ratio of catechol and quinone functionality for effective adhesion to a wide range of substrates, including tissue, bone, metal, and medical hydrogels, while maintaining biocompatibility and controlled oxidation.
Innovation Solution
A bio-adhesive comprising protein-based polymers, such as gelatin, fibrin, or collagen, modified with at least two different catechol-containing compounds that have different oxidation rates, allowing for controlled conversion of catechol moieties to quinone moieties, achieving a desired ratio and dual functionality for enhanced adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If catechol-containing compounds are coupled to protein-based polymers to improve adhesion, then adhesion strength is improved, but control over oxidation rate and ratio of catechol to quinone functionality becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the functionalization process into two separate steps: first coupling catechol-containing compounds to the polymer, then selectively oxidizing a controlled portion of catechol groups to quinone groups. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each step, achieving both strong adhesion and precise oxidation ratio control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oxidation parameter by using controlled oxidation conditions (selective oxidizing agents, controlled reaction time, temperature, and pH) to convert only a portion of catechol groups to quinone groups, achieving the desired ratio while maintaining adhesion strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single catechol-containing compound is used for polymer functionalization, then the functionalization process is simple, but the adhesion performance to diverse substrates is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite functional structure by coupling multiple different catechol-containing compounds (such as dopamine, DOPA, caffeic acid, or ferulic acid) to the polymer backbone. This composite approach provides diverse catechol and quinone functionalities that enhance adhesion to various substrates including tissue, bone, metal, and hydrogels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by using a mixture of catechol-containing compounds with different properties, allowing the adhesive to effectively bond to a wide range of substrates (soft tissue, hard tissue, metal, ceramic, and hydrogel) while maintaining a single functionalization process.
3Strength
If high concentration of catechol groups is present on the polymer, then adhesion potential is increased, but uncontrolled oxidation leads to reduced stability and biocompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary coupling of catechol-containing compounds to the polymer before oxidation, allowing high catechol concentration to be established first for maximum adhesion potential, then selectively oxidizes only the required portion to quinone groups to ensure stability and biocompatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the oxidation parameter by using selective oxidizing agents under controlled conditions to convert only a specific ratio of catechol groups to quinone groups, maintaining both high adhesion potential through high catechol concentration and reliability through controlled oxidation level.
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 bio-adhesive demonstrates improved adhesion to various substrates, including soft tissue, metals, and hydrogels, with controlled oxidation ensuring biocompatibility and stability, facilitating applications in medical procedures such as wound closure, tissue repair, and surgical implant fixation.
Implementation Method 1
the at least 2 different functionalization agents are oxidized to a different degree
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a bio-adhesive comprising one or more protein-based polymers with catechol and quinone functionality wherein the polymer is substituted with at least 2 different functionalization agents each having a 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl group and each having a different resistance to oxidation, wherein the at least 2 different functionalization agents are oxidized to a different degree, wherein—the protein-based polymer is selected from silk, fibrin, collagen and/or gelatin, making up at least 50% by weight on the entire polymer content of the bio-adhesive, and—the ratio of the functionalization agents and amount of oxidant are selected such as to achieve a conversion of 4 to 96% of the catechol moieties into quinone moieties. It further concerns a bio-adhesive for application on the outside or inside of a living human or animal body, suitably, this may be in the form of a kit of parts.