Block Copolymers for Drug Delivery via Hydrolysable Linkages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current amphiphilic block copolymers used in pharmaceutical agent delivery face challenges in forming stable supramolecular structures in aqueous environments, particularly in introducing biological molecules and achieving asymmetric block copolymers under anhydrous conditions, limiting their effectiveness in pharmacological applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of block copolymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks interrupted by hydrolysable or oxidation-sensitive chemical moieties, such as esters, amides, or thioesters, that self-assemble into micelles or vesicles, allowing for efficient encapsulation and delivery of pharmaceutical agents like nucleic acids and drugs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If block copolymers are prepared via ionic polymerization under strictly anhydrous conditions, then the polymerization process is stable and controllable, but it becomes difficult to obtain asymmetric block copolymers or to introduce biological molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the polymerization conditions from strictly anhydrous to aqueous or humid conditions, allowing the incorporation of hydrophilic blocks and biological molecules while maintaining controlled polymerization through modified ionic polymerization mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water or aqueous solutions as an intermediary medium to enable the incorporation of hydrophilic blocks and biological molecules during polymerization, while maintaining control through controlled water content and pH conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If block copolymers are designed with hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks for self-assembly, then supramolecular structures like micelles and vesicles can be formed, but the stability of these structures in aqueous environments is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces locally modified blocks with specific hydrophilic or hydrophobic properties, including charged blocks and oxidation-sensitive moieties, to create localized regions that enhance self-assembly and stabilize supramolecular structures in aqueous environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite block copolymer structures combining different polymer blocks with specific functional groups (hydrophilic blocks, hydrophobic blocks, charged blocks, oxidation-sensitive moieties) to achieve both self-assembly capability and environmental stability
3Ease of manufacture
If block copolymers are made biodegradable with hydrolysable groups, then they can be cleared from the body, but the degradation rate and encapsulation efficiency need to be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the hydrolysable groups and block copolymer composition to control degradation rate, using parameters such as pH, temperature, and specific chemical moieties (esters, amides, thioesters, anhydrides, ketals) to achieve controlled biodegradation and encapsulation efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
An encoding/decoding apparatus and method using a low-density parity-check code (LDPC code) is disclosed. Basic column group information, serving as a set of information regarding positions of rows with weight 1, is extracted from a reference column in each column group of a predetermined parity-check matrix. Column group information transforms the positions of rows with weight 1 into positions whose lengths are within a required parity length. A parity-check matrix is generated according to the generated column group information. Data is encoded or decoded based on the generated parity-check matrix.