Catechol Hydrogel Patch for Long-Term Tissue Adhesion and Cell Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drug and cell delivery methods cause tissue damage, bleeding, and inefficiency due to poor adhesion and user inconvenience, while hydrogel injection methods rely heavily on user skill and vary in effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible hydrogel patch functionalized with catechol or pyrogallol groups, which forms covalent crosslinks in vivo, providing excellent adhesion and mechanical properties, allowing for efficient drug and cell delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct injection method is used for cell delivery, then cell delivery can be achieved, but tissue damage and bleeding occur due to pressure during injection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydrogel patch as an intermediary carrier between the cells and the target tissue. The patch is loaded with cells and then applied to the tissue surface, eliminating the need for direct injection. This mediator approach allows cell delivery while avoiding the pressure-related tissue damage and bleeding caused by conventional injection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical injection system with a patch application system. Instead of using needles and pressure to deliver cells, the invention uses a soft, adaptable hydrogel patch that can be gently applied to the tissue surface. This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical pressure during delivery while maintaining effective cell transport.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer patch-based cell delivery is used, then tissue damage is reduced, but additional sutures or glues are needed to attach the patch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment function directly into the hydrogel patch material itself. The patch is designed with inherent adhesive properties that allow it to stick to the tissue surface without requiring separate sutures or glues. This integration combines the delivery and attachment functions into a single component, reducing overall device complexity and treatment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel patch is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the cell delivery carrier, provides tissue adhesion through its own material properties, and eliminates the need for additional attachment mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and steps required in the treatment process.
3Stability of the object's composition
If suturing is used to attach the patch, then the patch can be secured to tissue, but direct damage to the tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suturing system with a chemical adhesion system. Instead of using needles to pierce and secure the patch, the invention relies on the hydrogel patch's inherent adhesive properties to bond with the tissue surface. This substitution maintains secure attachment while avoiding the direct tissue damage caused by mechanical penetration and suturing.
4Stability of the object's composition
If glue is used to attach the patch, then the patch can be secured to tissue, but complete contact between tissue and patch cannot be made
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment and contact functions into the hydrogel patch material itself. The patch is designed with properties that allow it to both adhere to the tissue surface and maintain complete contact across the entire interface. This eliminates the need for separate glues that create gaps, ensuring full contact between the patch and tissue for optimal cell delivery.
5Productivity
If conventional hydrogel injection is used, then drug and cell delivery can be achieved, but user skill level affects effectiveness and convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the hydrogel formation and crosslinking actions before application to the tissue. The hydrogel is pre-formed and crosslinked in a controlled manner during manufacturing, creating a stable, ready-to-use patch. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to perform complex hydrogel preparation and crosslinking procedures, greatly improving ease of operation and user convenience.
6Productivity
If hydrogel is injected into living body, then drug and cell delivery can be achieved, but tissue damage and bleeding risks remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the hydrogel patch as an intermediary carrier that is applied to the tissue surface rather than being injected. This mediator approach allows drugs and cells to be delivered through the patch-tissue interface, eliminating the needle penetration and pressure-related tissue damage and bleeding risks associated with conventional injection methods.
7Productivity
If conventional hydrogels are used, then drug and cell delivery can be achieved, but adhesion properties are insufficient to be maintained in vivo for long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the hydrogel material to enhance its adhesion properties. The hydrogel is formulated with specific crosslinking densities, surface characteristics, and chemical compositions that optimize its ability to adhere to tissue surfaces. These parameter changes enable long-term adhesion in vivo, maintaining drug and cell delivery effectiveness over extended periods.
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 hydrogel patch maintains long-term adhesion, safely delivers drugs and cells without tissue damage, and is user-friendly, enhancing treatment efficacy and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
forms covalent crosslinking with various functional groups through oxidation reaction
Implementation Method 2
forms covalent crosslinking with various functional groups through oxidation reaction
Implementation Method 3
efficient drug and cell delivery
Implementation Method 4
efficient drug and cell delivery
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a catechol group- or pyrogallol group-functionalized biocompatible polymer hydrogel patch having excellent biocompatibility and tissue adhesion, and uses for drug delivery, cell transplantation and tissue regeneration using the same. The biocompatible polymer hydrogel patch functionalized with the catechol group or pyrogallol group of the present disclosure has remarkably excellent mechanical properties and tissue adhesion compared with a solution-based bulk hydrogel. Therefore, it can load cells and a drug in vivo for a long time and also safely and efficiently deliver the cells and the drug to a target site.