Biodegradable Medical Adhesive via Crosslinked Ester Backbone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical adhesives based on alkyl α-cyanoacrylate have poor biodegradability and biocompatibility due to their linear polymer backbone, which can lead to foreign body reactions and impede wound healing.

Innovation Solution

A biodegradable medical adhesive is developed through crosslinking copolymerization of mono-α-cyanoacrylate and bis-α-cyanoacrylic acid diol ester, forming a web-like polymer backbone with ester and amide bonds that are easily degradable, using components like PEG and PLA, which are biocompatible and can be absorbed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If alkyl α-cyanoacrylate is used to form a linear polymer backbone, then the adhesive achieves strong bonding strength, but the polymer becomes difficult to degrade and absorb

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesive bonding strengthVSAvoidbiodegradability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the polymer backbone into crosslinked network structures with multiple ester linkage sites distributed throughout the matrix. This segmentation creates numerous degradation points that allow the polymer to break down into smaller, absorbable fragments while maintaining initial bonding strength through the crosslinked architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polymer system combining α-cyanoacrylate monomers with ester linkage-containing compounds to form a crosslinked network. This composite structure integrates the high bonding strength of cyanoacrylate with the biodegradability of ester linkages, achieving both strong adhesion and controlled degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the polymer backbone is made with high carbon-carbon bond energy, then the adhesive achieves structural stability, but the polymer degrades very slowly causing foreign body reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymer structural stabilityVSAvoidforeign body reaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces ester linkage compounds as intermediary elements within the polymer backbone. These ester linkages act as degradable mediators that allow controlled breakdown of the polymer structure while maintaining overall stability during the healing period. The ester linkages provide a mechanism for progressive degradation without compromising initial structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the adhesive is used for soft tissue application, then the adhesive provides effective wound closure, but the resulting polymer lacks flexibility and becomes too hard

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound closure effectivenessVSAvoidpolymer flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the polymer structure by incorporating ester linkage compounds that change the physical parameters of the resulting polymer. These modifications reduce the glass transition temperature and increase chain mobility, transforming the polymer from a rigid state to a flexible state suitable for soft tissue application while maintaining wound closure effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 adhesive exhibits improved biodegradability, flexibility, and biocompatibility, allowing for safe use in wound healing and tissue engineering without long-term presence, reducing foreign body reactions and enhancing tissue compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

crosslinking copolymerization of mono-α-cyanoacrylate and bis-α-cyanoacrylic acid diol ester, forming a web-like polymer backbone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking copolymerization: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

forming a web-like polymer backbone with ester and amide bonds that are easily degradable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP2792372B1Biodegradable medical adhesive and preparation method and use thereof
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 CHENGDU YIPING MEDICAL SCI & TECH
  • EP2792372B1 patent drawingFigure 1-A~2
  • EP2792372B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2792372B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is a medical adhesive with good biodegradable performance capable of undergoing crosslinking copolymerization, comprising a mono-alpha-cyanoacrylate and a bis-alpha-cyanoacrylic acid diol ester monomer molecule. The olefinic bonds in the mono-alpha-cyanoacrylate structure are polymerized in the presence of infinitesimal anions to form a solid 3D high polymer; the 3D high polymer is provided with degradation sites on the web-like backbone chain, with clear degradation path and absorbable degradation products. The medical adhesive can be used for wound adhesive, large area wound hemostasia, and visceral and soft tissue wound closure. Furthermore, the medical adhesive also has the potential to be used as a tissue engineered material.