Crosslinked Polyphosphorylcholine Coating for Implantable Prostheses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biomaterials used for in-vivo implantable prostheses, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), induce capsular contracture and other foreign body reactions due to their hydrophobicity and bioadhesion, leading to severe pain, deformity, and increased medical expenses, with existing coating methods failing to prevent recognition as a foreign body and peeling off under body stimulation.

Innovation Solution

A coating composition comprising a photoinitiator, crosslinking agent, and phosphorylcholine (PC) monomer with an acrylate group is applied to the prosthesis, followed by UV irradiation to form a crosslinked network-type polymer membrane, enhancing coating strength and biocompatibility, reducing protein and cell adherence, and preventing peeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a prosthesis surface is made of PDMS material, then mechanical properties and oxygen permeability are improved, but capsular contracture and foreign body reactions occur due to hydrophobicity and bioadhesion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertyVSAvoidcapsular contracture
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite coating system consisting of phosphorylcholine polymer (biocompatible layer) combined with crosslinking agents and photoinitiators. This composite structure combines the mechanical properties of PDMS with the biocompatibility of phosphorylcholine, creating a surface that maintains structural integrity while preventing foreign body reactions and capsular contracture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the surface chemical parameters of PDMS by coating it with phosphorylcholine polymer. This transformation alters the surface from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, changing the chemical composition and surface energy parameters to prevent protein adsorption and cellular adhesion, thereby eliminating capsular contracture while preserving the underlying PDMS mechanical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a coating is applied to prevent foreign body reaction, then biocompatibility is improved, but the coating peels off under body stimulation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidcoating stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces mechanical adhesion with chemical bonding by using photopolymerization to create covalent bonds between the phosphorylcholine coating and the PDMS substrate. This substitution of bonding mechanism ensures the coating remains firmly attached under body stimulation while maintaining biocompatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different functional properties to different parts of the coating system: the phosphorylcholine polymer provides biocompatibility and anti-fouling properties at the surface, while the crosslinking agents provide structural stability and adhesion to the substrate. This local differentiation of functional qualities ensures both biocompatibility and coating stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If existing coating methods are used, then application simplicity is maintained, but the coating fails to prevent recognition as foreign body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating applicationVSAvoidforeign body recognition prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates photoinitiators and crosslinking agents into the coating composition before application. This preliminary preparation allows the coating to be applied in a simple manner while already containing the necessary components to achieve covalent bonding and prevent foreign body recognition, combining ease of manufacture with high reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 crosslinked coating significantly reduces capsular contracture and foreign body reactions by maintaining stability under body stimulation, ensuring long-term biocompatibility and reducing protein and cell adsorption, thus minimizing side effects and medical costs.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating UV rays onto the in-vivo implantable prosthesis to which the coating composition is applied

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

a crosslinking agent, and a phosphorylcholine (PC) monomer having an acrylate group wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, ethyleneglycol diacrylate, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical Bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3132810B1Prosthesis for in vivo insertion, coated with cross-linked polyphosphorylcholine
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 BS RES CO LTD
  • EP3132810B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3132810B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3132810B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a coating composition for an in-vivo implantable prosthesis including a photoinitiator, a crosslinking agent, and a phosphorylcholine (PC) monomer having an acrylate group, a method of coating an in-vivo implantable prosthesis using the coating composition, and a cosmetic prosthesis coated with the crosslinked polyphosphorylcholine. An in-vivo implantable prosthesis coated with crosslinked polyphosphorylcholine may be manufactured by a simple method of applying a coating composition including a photoinitiator, a crosslinking agent, and a phosphorylcholine (PC) monomer having an acrylate group according to the present invention, and then irradiating UV rays. The crosslinked polyphosphorylcholine coating may provide hydrophilicity for the surface and may also remarkably reduce adsorption of proteins and fibroblasts, which may cause side effects such as capsular contracture. Further, the coating has strong enough not to peel off even under stimulation, and therefore, it is maintained under vigorous activity after implantation, thereby being usefully applied to the manufacture of an in-vivo implantable prosthesis with reduced side effects, such as breast prosthesis for cosmetic surgery.