Crosslinked Biodegradable Polyurethane Nerve Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for peripheral nerve repair, such as autografts, are limited by multiple surgical procedures, morbidity, limited graft supply, and potential neuroma formation, while existing biodegradable synthetic nerve repair conduits have limitations in performance and availability.
Innovation Solution
Development of crosslinked biodegradable block polyurethane copolymers that can be used to create nerve repair conduits, tissue scaffolds, and wound dressings, incorporating folic acid for local delivery to promote nerve regeneration, with customizable mechanical, topological, and biological cues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autografts are used for peripheral nerve repair, then nerve regeneration is achieved, but multiple surgical procedures are required and morbidity occurs at donor site
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the nerve repair function into separate components: a biodegradable conduit structure that provides physical guidance and a drug delivery system that releases growth factors. This segmentation allows the conduit to be implanted once while providing sustained therapeutic effect, eliminating the need for multiple surgical procedures required by autografts.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable conduit acts as an intermediary structure that mimics the natural nerve environment, providing mechanical support and biochemical cues for nerve regeneration. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for donor tissue while achieving comparable regeneration effectiveness.
2Reliability
If biodegradable synthetic nerve repair conduits are used, then nerve regeneration is promoted, but performance and availability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials combining biodegradable polymers (PLA, PLGA, PCL) with embedded drug delivery systems containing neurotrophic factors. This composite approach enhances the basic conduit function by adding biochemical stimulation, improving overall performance and versatility for different nerve repair scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows customization of multiple parameters including conduit diameter, wall thickness, porosity, degradation rate, and drug release kinetics. This parameter optimization enables adaptation to different nerve sizes and injury types, significantly improving versatility and availability.
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 biodegradable block polyurethane copolymers provide enhanced nerve regeneration by delivering folic acid locally, improving tissue repair and regeneration with customizable properties, potentially matching or exceeding the performance of autografts.
Implementation Method 1
local delivery of folic acid to a site of PNS injury
Implementation Method 2
the block copolymers can be crosslinked via a citrate ester
Implementation Method 3
crosslinked biodegradable block polyurethane copolymers
Data Source
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AI summary
Crosslinked biodegradable block polyurethane copolymers prepared from a plurality of biodegradable polymers or oligomers linked together via urethane bonds and crosslinked via a citrate ester are disclosed. Such copolymers can include folic acid and fabricated into medical devices such as a nerve growth conduit and locally deliver folic acid to a site of injury such as a PNS injury site.