Carbodiimide Crosslinked PEG Surgical Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical adhesives, such as cyanoacrylate and fibrin sealants, face issues with consistency, potential for undesirable by-products, high flexural modulus, and viral transmission concerns, necessitating a fully synthetic, flexible, and biocompatible alternative.
Innovation Solution
A synthetic macromer composition comprising an acid-functional polymer, an amine-functional polymer, and a coupling agent, specifically carbodiimide, which crosslinks to form a strong yet flexible adhesive or sealant suitable for use on living tissue, allowing for rapid bonding and degradation without causing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cyanoacrylate adhesive is used, then bonding strength is achieved, but high flexural modulus limits flexibility and potential formaldehyde degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using fully synthetic polymers with controlled molecular weights and functional group densities. This allows tuning of both bonding strength and flexibility independently, resolving the contradiction between strong adhesion and flexible adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive comprises a composite system of multiple synthetic polymer components with complementary properties. By combining polymers with different characteristics (e.g., flexible backbone with rigid crosslinking groups), the formulation achieves both high bond strength and appropriate flexibility without the limitations of single-component cyanoacrylates.
2Reliability
If natural-derived sealants like fibrin are used, then biocompatibility is achieved, but variability and viral transmission concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fully synthetic polymers that are inherently consistent in composition and free from biological variability. These synthetic materials eliminate the need for complex purification processes required for natural products, providing reliable batch-to-batch consistency while maintaining biocompatibility through controlled molecular design.
Solution Approach 2:
By transitioning from natural to synthetic polymers, the patent changes the fundamental chemical parameters to achieve composition stability. Synthetic polymers allow precise control of molecular weight, functional group distribution, and purity, eliminating the variability inherent in natural-derived materials while maintaining biocompatible properties.
3Productivity
If rapid bonding is achieved, then surgical efficiency is improved, but excessive tissue deformation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive formulation is designed with dynamic properties that allow rapid initial tack followed by controlled setting. The polymer composition enables the adhesive to quickly wet and adhere to tissue surfaces, then gradually crosslink at a rate that minimizes thermal and mechanical stress on the tissue, resolving the contradiction between speed and tissue safety.
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 synthetic macromer composition provides a consistent, biocompatible, and flexible adhesive or sealant that adheres well to tissue, is suitable for various medical applications, and can be used to secure medical devices or fill defects, reducing the need for sutures and minimizing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling agent which crosslinks to form a strong yet flexible adhesive or sealant
Implementation Method 2
Carbodiimide crosslinking of functionalized polyethylene glycols
Data Source
AI summary
A synthetic composition is provided which includes an acid-functional polymer having at least one pendant acid group, an amine-functional polymer having at least one pendant amine group, and a coupling agent. The synthetic composition can be used in human and animal medical applications as an adhesive or sealant.