Embolization Particles With Core-Shell Polymer Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolic particles for vascular occlusions lack uniformity in size and density, which affects their delivery and efficacy in medical applications, particularly in achieving targeted and controlled release of therapeutic agents.
Innovation Solution
Development of embolic particles with a diameter ranging from 10 microns to 3,000 microns, featuring a surface region with a higher weight percent of a first polymer than the interior region, allowing for tailored release of therapeutic agents and improved delivery through a catheter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If embolic particles are used for vascular occlusion, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but size uniformity and density control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The particle is designed with a core-shell structure where the interior region contains a different composition (lower weight percent of first polymer) compared to the surface region (higher weight percent of first polymer). This local quality differentiation enables simultaneous optimization of delivery properties (through surface characteristics) and therapeutic release properties (through interior characteristics), resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and therapeutic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The embolic particle is constructed as a composite material system with at least two different materials distributed in a gradient manner from interior to surface. This composite structure allows different regions to exhibit different physical and chemical properties, enabling precise control over both size uniformity during manufacturing and density during delivery, while maintaining reliable therapeutic effect.
2Reliability
If embolic particles are delivered through catheter, then vascular occlusion is achieved, but delivery efficiency is reduced due to size and density variability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention systematically controls critical parameters including particle diameter (10-3,000 microns with narrow distribution), density (through compositional gradient), and polymer weight percent distribution (higher at surface, lower at interior). By optimizing these parameters and their spatial distribution, the particles achieve consistent flow characteristics through the catheter while maintaining effective vascular occlusion capability, thereby improving delivery efficiency without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface region is specifically engineered with higher concentration of first polymer to provide smooth surface characteristics and consistent size, which are critical for efficient catheter delivery. The interior region has different composition optimized for therapeutic function. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between delivery efficiency (requiring uniform surface properties) and vascular occlusion reliability (requiring appropriate bulk properties).
3Ease of manufacture
If embolic particles are designed with uniform composition, then manufacturing is simplified, but controlled release of therapeutic agents is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The particle is designed with spatially varying composition: the interior region has lower weight percent of first polymer (optimized for therapeutic agent loading and controlled release), while the surface region has higher weight percent (optimized for structural integrity and delivery). This local quality differentiation enables both controlled therapeutic release over time and relatively straightforward manufacturing through established gradient formation techniques, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and duration of action.
Solution Approach 2:
The embolic particle utilizes a composite material system with at least two different materials distributed in a gradient from interior to surface. This composite structure enables the interior to provide controlled release characteristics while the surface provides structural stability, achieving both prolonged therapeutic action and manufacturability through well-established composite material processing techniques.
4Stability of the object's composition
If embolic particles have high polymer concentration throughout, then structural stability is improved, but therapeutic agent release is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The particle structure is designed with higher first polymer concentration at the surface region to maintain structural stability and integrity during delivery and implantation. The interior region has lower first polymer concentration, creating more space and favorable conditions for therapeutic agent loading and release. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between structural stability and therapeutic agent release quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embolization, as well as related particles, compositions, and methods, are disclosed.