Electrospinning Poly(glycerol Sebacate) Using Carrier Polymers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) is difficult to electrospin due to its low molecular weight and viscous liquid state at room temperature, preventing the formation of stable fibers and fibrous scaffolds, which are essential for tissue engineering applications.

Innovation Solution

Blending PGS prepolymer with heat-resistant polymers like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and electrospinning them into fibers, followed by heat cross-linking without chemical cross-linkers, allowing for the removal of the carrier polymer to form stable PGS fibers and scaffolds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PGS prepolymer is electrospun directly, then fiber formation is attempted, but the low molecular weight and viscous liquid state prevent stable fiber formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber stabilityVSAvoidelectrospinning processability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A carrier polymer is introduced as an intermediary substance to enable the electrospinning of PGS prepolymer. The carrier polymer forms a blend with PGS that has suitable viscosity and molecular weight for fiber formation, while the PGS content (30-90 wt%) ensures the final product maintains PGS properties after carrier removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The molecular weight and viscosity parameters of the electrospinning solution are modified by blending PGS prepolymer with carrier polymer. This parameter change enables stable fiber formation during electrospinning, which is then crosslinked to lock in the fibrous structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If chemical cross-linkers are used to cross-link PGS, then cross-linking is achieved, but biocompatibility and mechanical strength are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-linking efficiencyVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Chemical cross-linking is replaced with thermal cross-linking. The PGS prepolymer blend is heated to a temperature and duration sufficient to induce cross-linking reactions without requiring chemical cross-linkers, thereby maintaining biocompatibility while achieving the desired cross-linked network structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Chemical cross-linkers are completely removed from the process. The cross-linking function is extracted from the chemical domain and implemented through thermal processing, eliminating the harmful factors associated with chemical cross-linking agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If carrier polymer is removed after electrospinning, then pure PGS fibers are obtained, but additional processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber purityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier removal step is merged with the cross-linking process. The blend is electrospun, then subjected to thermal treatment that simultaneously cross-links the PGS and removes or modifies the carrier polymer, reducing the number of separate processing steps while achieving both fiber stability and purity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 method enables the production of stable, biocompatible, and mechanically strong PGS fibers and scaffolds that can be used for tissue engineering, overcoming the limitations of previous methods by using standard electrospinning equipment and maintaining biocompatibility and strength.

Implementation Method 1

the blend is electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrospinning: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat cross-linking: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10738152B2Methods of electrospinning and compositions made therefrom

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 UNIV OF PITTSBURGH OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYST OF HIGHER EDUCATION

AI summary

Disclosed herein are methods of electrospinning poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) which allow stable PGS fibers and fibrous PGS constructs, scaffolds and grafts to be formed. In one example, a disclosed method includes generating PGS fibers by blending PGS prepolymer with a heat resistant synthetic carrier polymer, wherein the blend is electrospun into micro- or nano-fibers, and the PGS prepolymer is cross-linked into PGS with heat without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, a disclosed method includes electrospinning a PGS and gelatin blend, wherein the PGS and gelatin composition are cross-linked by heat curing without using chemical cross-linkers. In another example, the method includes preparing an electrospinning precursor solution comprising blending PGS prepolymer with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a chemical cross-linker; electrospinning the prepared blend; and exposing the electrospun blend to an organic solvent to remove the PLGA.