Biocompatible Prepolymers for Load-Bearing Tissue Engineering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymer systems for cell delivery in tissue engineering lack sufficient mechanical strength and biocompatibility, particularly for regenerating load-bearing tissues like cartilage and bone, and fail to maintain cell viability during the tissue regeneration process.
Innovation Solution
Development of biocompatible prepolymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments containing ethylenically unsaturated functional groups, which can be cross-linked using radiation or other methods without harming cells, providing a scaffold with tailored mechanical properties and maintaining cell viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If natural polymers are used for cell encapsulation, then cell biocompatibility is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials by combining natural polymers (for biocompatibility) with synthetic polymers containing ethylenically unsaturated functional groups (for mechanical strength and crosslinking capability). This composite approach allows the hydrogel to simultaneously achieve good cell compatibility and sufficient mechanical properties for tissue engineering applications.
2Strength
If synthetic polymers are used for hydrogel formation, then mechanical strength is improved, but cell viability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by using hydrophilic synthetic polymers with specific functional groups (acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl) that provide mechanical strength and crosslinking capability while maintaining biocompatibility. The polymer structure is designed with specific local chemical properties (hydrophilic groups, functional end groups) that enable both strength and cell compatibility.
3Strength
If cross-linking is performed to improve mechanical strength, then gel strength is improved, but cytotoxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses parameter changes by employing ethylenically unsaturated functional groups (acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl) at the ends of polymer chains that enable controlled crosslinking through polymerization reactions. The crosslinking degree and network structure can be adjusted by controlling polymerization conditions, allowing optimization of both mechanical strength and biocompatibility parameters.
4Strength
If polymerization initiation is performed to form polymer network, then mechanical properties are improved, but cell tolerance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional chemical crosslinking methods with polymerization-based crosslinking using ethylenically unsaturated functional groups. This substitution allows for more controlled and gentle network formation that can be initiated under milder conditions, improving cell tolerance while still achieving the desired mechanical properties through the polymerization process.
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 prepolymers form biocompatible, mechanically strong cross-linked networks that support cell migration and tissue reconstruction, allowing for effective delivery and regeneration of various tissues without causing inflammatory responses or cytotoxicity.
Implementation Method 1
The prepolymers are suitable for delivery using injection or arthroscopic type means and can be cross linked by radiation or other methods without harming the cells or other components present in the composition.
Implementation Method 2
hydrophobic segments have at least one ethylenically unsaturated functional group and at least 5% of the segments have two or more ethylenically unsaturated functional groups
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a biocompatible prepolymer comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments, wherein the hydrophobic segments have at least one ethylenically unsaturated functional group and at least 5% of the segments have two or more ethylenically unsaturated functional groups and water. The invention further provides a biocompatible prepolymer composition comprising hydrophilic and hydrophobic prepolymers, wherein at least one of the hydrophobic prepolymers has at least one ethylenically unsaturated functional group and at least 5% of the prepolymers have two or more ethylenically unsaturated functional groups and water. The invention further provides use of the prepolymer or prepolymer compositions of the invention in biomedical applications such as tissue engineering, as bone substitutes or scaffolds, and in wound treatment.