Degradable Dual-Component Hydrogel via O-Phthalaldehyde Crosslinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current poly (ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels are non-degradable, limiting their biomedical applications due to their stable structure, while protein-based hydrogels face issues with mechanical properties, slow curing speed, and disease transmission risks.
Innovation Solution
A degradable dual-component hydrogel is developed by grafting o-phthalaldehyde into synthetic polymers with degradable structures, allowing for adjustable degradation rates and reduced disease transmission risks through a simple preparation method with mild conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If poly (ethylene glycol)-based hydrogels are used, then mechanical properties and curing speed are improved, but degradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite hydrogel system combining poly (ethylene glycol) backbone with degradable side chains containing ester, carbonate, or thiocarbonate bonds. This composite structure allows the main chain to provide mechanical strength while the side chains enable controlled degradation through hydrolysis, resolving the contradiction between mechanical properties and degradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces degradable functional groups (ester, carbonate, thiocarbonate) at specific locations along the poly (ethylene glycol) chain rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized modification allows the hydrogel to maintain overall structural integrity for mechanical support while enabling targeted degradation at specific sites, achieving both strength and controllability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If protein-based hydrogels are used, then degradability is improved, but mechanical properties and curing speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces long-lived protein-based hydrogels with synthetic poly (ethylene glycol) hydrogels that can be designed for controlled degradation. This substitution uses a synthetic polymer platform that offers both mechanical strength and programmable degradation through chemical modification, eliminating the need for protein-based systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If protein-based hydrogels are used, then degradability is improved, but disease transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the degradability function from protein-based hydrogels and transfers it to synthetic poly (ethylene glycol) hydrogels through chemical modification. By taking out the protein component entirely and replacing it with synthetic polymers containing degradable bonds, the system maintains degradability while eliminating disease transmission risks associated with biological proteins.
4Strength
If high molecular weight hyaluronic acid is used, then hydrogel strength is improved, but degradation rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the degradation function from the structural function by incorporating degradable bonds (ester, carbonate, thiocarbonate) as separate functional units within the poly (ethylene glycol) chain. This segmentation allows the main chain to provide structural strength while the degradable segments control the degradation rate independently, enabling high molecular weight structures to degrade at controlled rates.
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 exhibits rapid degradation and wide amino component selection options, enhancing its suitability for biomedical applications without the risks associated with undegradable poly (ethylene glycol) or protein-based hydrogels.
Implementation Method 1
The cross-linked and cured by mixing two reactive gel precursors
Implementation Method 2
P is a water-soluble synthetic polymer containing degradable structures, which refers to a biodegradable structure unit. The degradable structure is selected from degradable chemical bonds or degradable polymer segments.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides the preparation and applications of a degradable dual-component hydrogel. The hydrogel is prepared by mixing component A, component B and solvent; Component A is an o-phthalaldehyde modified degradable polymer; Component B is a water-soluble molecule, a water-soluble synthetic polymer, or a polysaccharide that contains one or more types of the groups selected from primary amine, hydrazine, hydrazide, hydroxylamine and sulfhydryl, with the number of groups not less than 2. This invention achieves the regulation for hydrogel degradability by introducing degradable structures into the polymer skeleton of component A, and obtains hydrogels with rapid degradation. This invention thus solve the dilemma of materials—confronting either the problems of undegradable poly (ethylene glycol) skeleton or the potential risks of the degradable bioproducts introduced—used for preparing the dual-component hydrogel.