Biodegradable Sealant for Tissue Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical adhesives face challenges in achieving strong adhesion in soft tissues, are toxic, and fail in humid environments, leading to issues like tissue damage and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable sealant composed of a polyethylene glycol derivative modified with methacrylic anhydride, a photoinitiator, and a solvent, which provides strong adhesion, is non-cytotoxic, and effective in humid environments, allowing for efficient bonding and repair of biological tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical sutures are used for wound closure, then tissue reattachment is achieved, but the procedure takes time and may cause injury or infection to surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suture system with a chemical adhesive system. The adhesive composition cures to form a strong bond that seals wounds and prevents leakage without requiring mechanical threading or knotting, thereby reducing surgical time and eliminating tissue puncture injuries associated with sutures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes photopolymerization to change the physical state of the adhesive from liquid to solid gel upon light exposure. This parameter change allows the adhesive to remain applicable and flowable during application, then rapidly set to provide immediate wound sealing and structural integrity
2Ease of operation
If adhesives are applied for wound closure, then implant procedure is simplified and healing time is reduced, but adhesion strength in soft tissue is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining polyethylene glycol derivative polymers with photoinitiators and crosslinking agents. This composite formulation provides both the simplicity of adhesive application and the strength of crosslinked polymer networks, achieving strong adhesion to soft tissues while maintaining ease of application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs photopolymerization to transform the adhesive from a liquid state during application to a solid crosslinked gel state after curing. This parameter change enables the adhesive to maintain low viscosity for easy application, then rapidly develop high adhesion strength upon light exposure
3Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesives are used for wound closure, then patient suffering is reduced and secondary removal is unnecessary, but bonding strength in humid environments is very low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses photopolymerization to rapidly change the adhesive from liquid to solid gel state before body fluids can interfere with bonding. This time-sensitive parameter change allows the adhesive to cure in seconds upon light exposure, forming a water-resistant seal that maintains bond strength in humid physiological environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces moisture-curing or heat-curing adhesive systems with photopolymerization-based curing. This substitution allows precise spatial and temporal control of the curing process, enabling the adhesive to set rapidly on command before body fluids can compromise the bond, while eliminating the need for heat or additional moisture
4Reliability
If commercially available adhesives are applied, then wound closure is achieved, but elasticity and adhesion are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite hydrogel adhesive containing polyethylene glycol derivatives, crosslinking agents, and photoinitiators. This composite structure provides both adhesive bonding strength and elastic flexibility, allowing the cured sealant to accommodate tissue movement and physiological deformations while maintaining wound closure integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a flexible hydrogel film upon photopolymerization that conforms to the tissue surface and moves with tissue deformation. This flexible gel structure provides both the sealing function of a rigid barrier and the adaptability of a flexible membrane, maintaining bond integrity during physiological movements
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 sealant effectively bonds and repairs tissues without causing immune responses, is easily applied and cured, and can be naturally degraded, accelerating wound healing while maintaining tissue integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a photoinitiator
Data Source
AI summary
A biodegradable sealant includes: a polyethylene glycol derivative; a photoinitiator; and a solvent, wherein the content of the polyethylene glycol derivative is about 10-75 wt % in the biodegradable sealant. The polyethylene glycol derivative is obtained by a substitution reaction, and in the substitution reaction, the polyethylene glycol is modified with methacrylic anhydride.