Cellulose Adhesive Hydrogel for Rapid Tissue Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical adhesives face issues such as high cell toxicity, low tensile strength, enzymatic degradation, disease transmission, and long setting times, making them unsuitable for long-term internal wound closure.

Innovation Solution

A biocompatible adhesive composed of oxidized carboxymethylcellulose (oCMC) with aldehyde functional groups and methacrylated methylcellulose (mMC) forms a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN) that undergoes in situ gelation, providing mechanical stability and resistance to enzymatic degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If synthetic cyanoacrylate glues are used, then bonding strength is improved, but cell toxicity increases and biocompatibility worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidcell toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using natural polysaccharide-based materials (chitosan, cellulose derivatives) instead of synthetic cyanoacrylate, and adjusts molecular weight, degree of substitution, and crosslinking density to achieve both strong bonding and low cytotoxicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite hydrogel systems combining multiple natural polymers (chitosan with cellulose derivatives) that work synergistically to provide mechanical strength through physical and chemical crosslinking while maintaining biocompatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If natural fibrin glues are used, then biocompatibility is improved, but enzymatic degradation increases limiting application duration

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidapplication duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the degradation resistance by changing the polymer chemistry from protein-based (fibrin) to polysaccharide-based (chitosan, cellulose), which are resistant to enzymatic degradation while maintaining biocompatibility, and adjusts crosslinking density to control degradation rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves away from short-lived protein-based adhesives to long-lasting polysaccharide-based hydrogels that provide sustained adhesion and wound protection over extended periods without enzymatic breakdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If photopolymerizable PEG hydrogels are used, then biocompatibility is improved, but curing time increases and internal strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidcuring time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces UV light-initiated photopolymerization with enzyme-catalyzed or chemically-initiated crosslinking that occurs at physiological conditions without requiring external energy input, dramatically reducing curing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the polymerization mechanism from photopolymerization to enzyme-catalyzed or chemical crosslinking, and adjusts molecular weight and functional group density to achieve rapid gelation with strong mechanical properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If the adhesive forms a dense crosslinked network, then mechanical strength is improved, but cytotoxicity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcytotoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite hydrogel systems with dual crosslinking mechanisms (physical and chemical) that distribute stress and reduce the need for high chemical crosslinking density, maintaining mechanical strength while reducing cytotoxicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes crosslinking density and uses biocompatible crosslinkers to achieve the right balance between mechanical strength and cell viability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 adhesive demonstrates strong adhesive strength, rapid gel formation, and stability under physiological conditions, suitable for both internal and topical applications with minimal cytotoxicity and enzymatic resistance.

Implementation Method 1

forms a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (sIPN) that undergoes in situ gelation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Implementation Method 2

oxidized carboxymethylcellulose (oCMC) with aldehyde functional groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20260053976A1Methacrylated methylcellulose and oxidized carboxymethylcellulose adhesive hydrogel

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 RES FOUND THE CITY UNIV OF NEW YORK

AI summary

A biocompatible adhesive suitable for both internal and topical use. The adhesive is a tissue-adhesive hydrogel formed from an oxidized carboxymethylcellulose (oCMC) with aldehyde functional groups and a methacrylated methylcellulose (mMC).