Bioresorbable Polymer Composition for Load-Bearing Orthopedic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bioresorbable polymers like poly(glycolic acid) and poly(lactic acid) are not strong enough to withstand high loads in orthopedic applications and require extensive processing to achieve necessary mechanical strength, making them unsuitable for load-bearing medical devices.
Innovation Solution
A polymer composition formed from sulphonyl diphenol, hydroxybenzoic acid, and dicarboxylic acid monomers, which can be processed into high-strength fibers or materials suitable for medical devices, with specific ratios and methods for synthesis and purification to achieve tensile strengths and moduli suitable for load-bearing applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If current bioresorbable polymers (PGA, PLA) are used for load-bearing orthopaedic applications, then biocompatibility and bioresorbability are achieved, but mechanical strength and stiffness are insufficient to withstand high loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of bioresorbable polymers by incorporating aromatic rings (from hydroxybenzoic acid and sulphonyl diphenol monomers) and adjusting molecular weight and composition ratios. These parameter changes in the polymer structure dramatically increase mechanical strength and modulus while preserving bioresorbability, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability for load-bearing applications
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite polymer structures by combining multiple monomer types (hydroxybenzoic acid, sulphonyl diphenol, and dicarboxylic acid) to form copolymers with optimized mechanical properties. This composite approach at the molecular level achieves both high strength and bioresorbability simultaneously, making the material reliable for load-bearing orthopaedic use
2Strength
If current bioresorbable polymers are processed to achieve necessary mechanical strength, then strength requirements are met, but extensive processing is required making the materials still insufficient for load-bearing applications
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the fundamental chemical parameters of the polymer (incorporating aromatic monomers and optimizing molecular weight), the material achieves high strength intrinsically without requiring extensive post-processing. The polymer design itself provides the necessary mechanical properties, greatly simplifying manufacturing compared to conventional approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical strength is built into the polymer structure during synthesis rather than being added through subsequent processing steps. The preliminary chemical design of the copolymer composition pre-establishes the required strength characteristics, eliminating the need for complex reinforcement or processing operations later
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 resulting polymers exhibit high tensile strength and modulus, making them suitable for load-bearing medical devices, and are bioresorbable, capable of being injection molded and gamma sterilized, with potential for shape memory properties and use in various medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
adding Vilsmeier reagent; precipitating the resultant polymer out of the solution
Implementation Method 2
precipitating the resultant polymer out of the solution
Implementation Method 3
The fibres can be amorphous or semi-crystalline. A polymer comprising poly[(4-hydroxybenzoic acid)50(vanillic acid)25(4,4'-sulfonylbis(2-methylphenol))12.5(dicarboxylic acid)12.5 is particularly suitable for forming semi-crystalline fibres
Data Source
AI summary
Bioresorbable or biodegradable polymers formed from the monomers including sulphonyl diphenol, hydroxybenzoic acid and dicarboxylic acid. The dicarboxylic acid can include aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and aromatic dicarboxylic acid. Between 25 and 85 molar percent of the polymer is formed from the hydroxybenzoic acid, between 7.5 and 37.5 molar percent of the polymer is formed from the sulphonyl diphenol, and between 7.5 and 37.5 molar percent of the polymer is formed from the dicarboxylic acid. Polymers can be used for manufacturing fibers and composite devices.