Biodegradable Polymeric Particles for Embolization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current embolic materials for vascular occlusion are either non-biodegradable or not available in spherical forms, limiting their delivery and handling, and there is a need for materials that can degrade over time to allow for future access to treated areas without causing permanent complications.

Innovation Solution

Development of biodegradable injectable polymeric particles composed of a copolymer with hydroxy-acid, alkyl-ether, and acid-based repeat units, which can be used for embolization and tissue bulking, allowing for controlled release of therapeutic agents and spherical shape for improved delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-biodegradable embolic materials are used, then embolization effectiveness is maintained, but permanent complications and inability to access treated areas arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveembolization effectivenessVSAvoidpermanent complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from non-biodegradable to biodegradable polymer materials, changing the chemical composition parameter to enable controlled degradation while maintaining embolization effectiveness during the required period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The biodegradable particles are designed to degrade and be discarded by the body's natural processes after serving their embolization function, eliminating permanent complications while allowing future access to treated areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of manufacture

If non-spherical embolic materials are used, then material availability is improved, but delivery through microcatheters and handling variability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial availabilityVSAvoiddelivery and handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent explicitly designs the embolic material as spherical particles, which improves flow characteristics through microcatheters and provides consistent handling properties while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through spray-drying or emulsion techniques

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If biodegradable spherical particles are developed, then delivery and handling are improved, but material stability and degradation control become challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery and handlingVSAvoiddegradation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite polymer materials combining different biodegradable polymer components with controlled degradation rates, allowing optimization of both spherical shape for delivery and stability characteristics for controlled degradation timing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The degradation rate is controlled by changing polymer composition parameters, molecular weight, and crosslinking density to achieve desired stability during storage and deployment while ensuring controlled degradation in the body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Duration of action of stationary object

If permanent embolic materials are used, then occlusion durability is improved, but future access to treated areas and treatment flexibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion durabilityVSAvoidtreatment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic characteristics by designing particles that transition from stable to degradable state over time, providing durable occlusion during the treatment period while enabling future access and additional treatments after degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 biodegradable particles provide a spherical, easily deliverable embolic material that degrades over time, enabling repeated access to treated areas and reducing long-term complications, while allowing for controlled release of therapeutic agents for enhanced treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

biodegradable injectable polymeric particles that contain a copolymer that contains a hydroxy-acid-based repeat unit selected from a mono(hydroxy acid) unit and a poly(hydroxy acid) unit, an alkyl-ether-based repeat unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS9526804B2Injectable biodegradable particles

Publication Date: 2016.12.27 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

According to an aspect of the invention, injectable polymeric particles are provided that contain a copolymer that contains a hydroxy-acid-based repeat unit selected from a mono(hydroxy acid) unit and a poly(hydroxy acid) unit, an alkyl-ether-based repeat unit selected from a mono(alkyl ether) unit and a poly(alkyl ether) unit, and an acid-based repeat unit selected from a unit comprising multiple carboxylic acid groups and a derivative thereof. Other aspects of the invention pertain to methods of making such particles. Still other aspects of the invention pertain to injectable compositions that comprise such particles and to methods of treatment that employ such injectable compositions.