CCN/OCMC Hydrogel Embolic Material for Targeted Vessel Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolic materials, such as ethanol and cyanoacrylate, can cause distal embolization or untargeted embolization due to their properties, and require careful dilution and vascular penetration control, while solid or pre-gelled embolic materials are less suited for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of embolic materials comprising carboxymethyl chitosan (CCN) crosslinked with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), which can be delivered in liquid form and gel in situ, allowing for targeted embolization and potential drug delivery or use as a radiopaque marker, without the need for small-molecule crosslinking agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid embolic materials such as ethanol, Onyx, and detergents are used, then they can be easily delivered to target regions, but they can pass through capillaries causing distal embolization or untargeted embolization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the embolic material from liquid to gel. The hydrogel precursor is injected in liquid form for easy delivery, then undergoes phase transition to gel form at the target site, providing mechanical support to prevent capillary penetration while maintaining initial deliverability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition from liquid to gel state. The embolic material is delivered as a liquid hydrogel precursor that flows easily through catheters, then transitions to a gel state at the target location, providing structural integrity to prevent distal embolization while maintaining ease of delivery
2Strength
If cyanoacrylate is used, then it provides strong adhesion to tissue, but it requires careful assessment of proper dilution and control of vascular penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service mechanism where the embolic material automatically forms a gel at the target site through pH-triggered phase transition, eliminating the need for external crosslinking agents or complex control systems. The material self-regulates its gelation based on local physiological conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pH as an intermediary trigger for gelation. The hydrogel precursor remains liquid during delivery, then responds to pH changes at the target site to initiate gel formation, providing a simple and reliable mechanism to control the liquid-to-gel transition without complex equipment
3Reliability
If solid or pre-gelled embolic materials are used, then they provide stable embolization, but they are less suited for certain applications requiring liquid delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic embolic material that adapts its physical state during delivery. The material transitions from liquid (for flexible delivery) to gel (for stable embolization), providing both delivery flexibility and embolization reliability through controlled phase change rather than static properties
4Productivity
If crosslinking reaction completes instantaneously upon mixing, then rapid gel formation occurs, but the material cannot flow to the target region prior to gelation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the embolic material as a liquid hydrogel precursor before delivery, allowing it to flow easily to the target region. The gelation process is then initiated at the target site through pH change, ensuring deliverability is maintained while rapid gelation occurs at the desired location
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 CCN/CMC hydrogel embolic materials effectively target and embolize specific regions, providing biodegradability and biocompatibility, and can advance distally into smaller blood vessel areas, making them suitable for applications like endoleakage prevention and varicose vein treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The CCN and the OCMC may begin crosslinking (forming a hydrogel) upon mixing, but the crosslinking reaction does not complete instantaneously
Implementation Method 2
The liquid mixture in which the crosslinking reaction is occurring may flow to the target region prior to completion of the crosslinking reaction
Implementation Method 3
allowing the CCN and the OCMC to react to form the hydrogel material and embolize the targeted embolization location
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid embolic material may include a mixture of a first solution comprising between about 1.2% and about 2.5% weight per volume (w/v) carboxymethyl chitosan (CCN) in a first solvent and a second solution comprising between about 1.2% and about 2.5% w/v oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (OCMC) in a second solvent. The liquid embolic material may be used to embolize a targeted embolization location by mixing the first solution and the second solution to form a liquid embolic material (or hydrogel precursor material), introducing the hydrogel precursor material to a targeted embolization location within a body of a patient, and allowing the CCN and the OCMC to react to form the hydrogel material and embolize the targeted embolization location.