Electrically-Responsive Hydrogel Expansion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in interventional procedures, such as vessel occlusion, is the limited working time due to the rapid expansion of hydrogels when exposed to blood, which causes increased friction and difficulty in deployment, necessitating a method to control or augment hydrogel expansion.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrically-responsive hydrogels that can be controlled by applying positive or negative charges to manage their expansion, allowing for selective contraction or augmentation, thereby extending working time and enhancing space-filling properties during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If hydrogel is exposed to blood during deployment, then hydrogel expands to achieve occlusive purposes, but working time is reduced due to rapid expansion causing increased friction and deployment difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel is pre-loaded into the delivery catheter in a contracted state before the procedure begins. The contraction is achieved through preliminary drying or cooling processes, allowing the hydrogel to be stored and transported in a compact form without premature expansion, thus extending the working time available for deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters (temperature, humidity, pH) to control hydrogel expansion. By maintaining the hydrogel in a contracted state through controlled parameters during delivery, and then allowing expansion after deployment through exposure to blood or controlled environmental changes, the working time is extended while still achieving the required expansion for occlusion.
2Reliability
If hydrogel expands rapidly upon blood exposure, then occlusive effect is achieved, but friction increases making deployment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel is pre-positioned within the delivery catheter system before the procedure, allowing for precise navigation to the target site. The contraction state is maintained during navigation, and only after proper positioning is the expansion triggered, ensuring both easy deployment and reliable occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (such as a biodegradable coating or controlled-release layer) that prevents premature expansion during delivery. This intermediary layer is removed or degraded after positioning, allowing the hydrogel to expand and achieve occlusion without the friction problems associated with rapid expansion during deployment.
3Loss of time
If hydrogel is kept in contracted form during deployment, then working time is extended, but space-filling capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel system transitions from a static contracted state during delivery to a dynamic expanded state after deployment. The contraction allows for extended working time and precise positioning, while the subsequent expansion provides the necessary space-filling capability for effective occlusion. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between working time and space-filling volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transitions of the hydrogel material (between contracted and expanded states) to resolve the contradiction. The hydrogel remains in a contracted phase during delivery to extend working time, then transitions to an expanded phase after deployment to achieve the required space-filling volume for occlusion.
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
This approach enables more precise and efficient deployment of hydrogel implants by controlling expansion, reducing friction and enhancing the space-filling capabilities, thus improving the effectiveness and duration of interventional procedures.
Implementation Method 1
electrically-responsive hydrogels that can be controlled by applying positive or negative charges to manage their expansion
Data Source
AI summary
Implants comprising electrically-responsive hydrogel are described. Systems to provide electricity to induce response in hydrogel-containing implants are described. Methods for utilizing said system and methods for utilizing said hydrogel-containing implants are described.