Bio-resorbable Polymer Swelling Control for Tissue Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current resorbable biomaterials for drug delivery and tissue repair lack controlled swelling, drug release, and tissue ingrowth capabilities, with issues such as variable resorption rates, inflammatory responses, and inadequate porosity for tissue integration.
Innovation Solution
A bio-resorbable cross-linked polymer system incorporating a cyclic monomer with an exo-methylene group during polymerization, which reduces molecular weight residues and maintains mechanical properties, allowing for controlled drug release and tissue integration by swelling and degrading, while avoiding kidney accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gelatin sponges are used for embolization, then they are biodegradable and can be easily impregnated with physiological saline, but after hydration they lose their shape and resistance, and resorption time is highly variable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a biodegradable polymer matrix with a specific crosslinking system. The polymer comprises a matrix formed from polymerized monomers including carboxylic acid groups, which are crosslinked to create a stable network that maintains shape while remaining biodegradable. This composite approach allows the material to retain shape after hydration unlike pure gelatin sponges.
2Reliability
If dextran starch microspheres are used for vascular occlusion, then they are non-toxic and readily degradable, but resorption is fast with half life below 1 hour and cannot be accurately predicted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls resorption time by changing key parameters of the polymer system: the type and amount of crosslinker (from 0.1 to 10 mmol per gram of polymer), the monomer composition ratios, and the degree of crosslinking. These parameter adjustments allow precise control over the degradation rate, extending resorption time from hours to days or weeks while maintaining non-toxicity and complete degradability.
3Ease of operation
If water-absorbent dry microspheres based on acrylic and PVA copolymers are used for embolization, then they can be mixed with physiological saline, but final size varies too much to allow controlled final volume after implantation, and they are not resorbable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces specific functional groups (carboxylic acid groups) at defined locations within the polymer structure, and uses targeted crosslinking at specific sites to create regions of controlled porosity and swelling. This local quality control allows the microspheres to absorb physiological saline predictably while maintaining size control and enabling resorption, unlike the non-resorbable acrylic/PVA copolymers.
4Manufacturing precision
If radical polymerization ATRP is used to obtain statistic copolymers, then controlled polymerization can be achieved, but copper residues remain which cannot be used in medical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful copper catalyst from the polymerization process by using alternative polymerization methods such as conventional free radical polymerization or enzyme-catalyzed polymerization. This extraction of the harmful element allows controlled polymerization to be achieved through other means while producing copper-free polymers suitable for medical applications.
5Adaptability or versatility
If existing resorbable biomaterials are used for drug delivery, then some have interesting properties individually, but they don't possess enough properties to be proposed as multifunction implantable biomaterial
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal polymer system that integrates multiple functions: the polymer matrix provides structural support and controlled swelling, the crosslinking system enables controlled drug release through degradation, and the biodegradable nature allows eventual resorption. This multi-functional design consolidates capabilities that were previously分散 in different materials into a single reliable biomaterial system.
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 polymer system enables sustained drug release, reduces inflammatory responses, and facilitates tissue ingrowth with controlled resorption, making it suitable for soft tissue repair and drug delivery applications.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer system enables sustained drug release, reduces inflammatory responses, and facilitates tissue ingrowth with controlled resorption
Implementation Method 2
A bio-resorbable cross-linked polymer system incorporating a cyclic monomer with an exo-methylene group during polymerization, which reduces molecular weight residues and maintains mechanical properties, allowing for controlled drug release and tissue integration by swelling and degrading, while avoiding kidney accumulation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polymer obtained from the polymerization of: (i) at least one monomer of formula (I) (CH2=CR1)CO-K (l) wherein: - K represents O-Z or N H-Z, Z representing (CR2R3)m-CH3, (CH2-CH2-O)m-H, (CH2-CH2-O)m-CH3, (CH2)m-NR4R5 with m representing an integer from 1 to 30; - R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represent H or a C1 -C6 alkyl; (ii) at least between 0.1 and 50% mol, advantageously between 1 and 30% mol, more advantageously between 1 and 20 mol % of a cyclic monomer having a exomethylene group of formula (II) wherein: - R6, R7, R8 and R9 represent independently H or a C5-C7 aryl group or R6 and R9 are absent and R7 and R8 form together with the carbon atom on which they are bonded a C5-C7 aryl group; - i and j represent independently an integer chosen between 0 and 2; - X represents either O or X is not present and in this latter case, CR6R7 and CR8R9 are linked via a single bond C-C and (iii) at least one bio-resorbable block copolymer cross-linker.