Biodegradable Copolymer Solid Form for Rapid Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biodegradable hydrogels used in medical treatments face challenges due to their short shelf life and low stability, limiting their applications, and they take a long time to dissolve, causing inconvenience in clinical use.
Innovation Solution
A solid form is created by dissolving a biodegradable copolymer and an amide-containing compound in water, cooling the solution, and subjecting it to a freeze-drying process, resulting in a semi-crystalline state with improved stability and rapid dissolution in water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If biodegradable hydrogel is stored in hydrogel precursor form, then shelf life is extended, but dissolution time increases to hours or days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the hydrogel from amorphous to semi-crystalline by controlling the freezing process. This parameter change enables the hydrogel to be stored in a stable solid form while maintaining rapid dissolution capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by freezing the hydrogel precursor solution to form a semi-crystalline solid structure. This phase transition allows the material to maintain stability during storage while enabling rapid dissolution when water is added, as the crystalline structure breaks down quickly upon contact with water
2Speed
If hydrogel is stored in amorphous state, then dissolution is rapid, but stability and shelf life are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition by controlling the freezing process to create a semi-crystalline structure. This structure provides the stability needed for long-term storage while maintaining the ability to rapidly dissolve when water is added, as the crystalline structure readily breaks down upon contact with water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from amorphous to semi-crystalline through controlled freezing. This parameter change achieves the dual benefit of improved storage stability while preserving rapid dissolution capability, as the semi-crystalline structure is both stable and readily soluble
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 solid form exhibits enhanced stability for convenient storage and complete dissolution in water within one minute, meeting clinical requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the biodegradable copolymer is in a semi-crystalline state due to the dipole-dipole interaction between the biodegradable copolymer and the amide-containing compound
Implementation Method 2
cooling the solution at a second temperature to form a solid mixture
Implementation Method 3
the solid mixture is subjected to a freeze-drying process at a third temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a solid form and a method for preparing the same. The solid form consists essentially of a biodegradable copolymer and an amide-containing compound. The biodegradable copolymer is semi-crystalline due to the dipole-dipole interaction between the biodegradable copolymer and the urea. The method for preparing the above solid form includes: dissolving a biodegradable copolymer and an amide-containing compound in water at a first temperature, obtaining a solution; cooling the solution at a second temperature to form a solid mixture; and the solid mixture is subjected to a freeze-drying process at a third temperature.