Gallium Silicate Glass for Aneurysm Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for cerebral aneurysms, particularly wide-neck and irregularly shaped aneurysms, face challenges such as incomplete occlusion, high recanalization rates, and complications due to the limitations of existing embolization coils and techniques, which result in significant risks and untreated aneurysms.
Innovation Solution
A gallium silicate glass composition is developed, which forms a hydrogel matrix that releases ions to create a biocompatible, mechanically stable material for controlled ion release, aiding in aneurysm treatment by preventing further atherosclerosis and vasospasm, and promoting vasodilation, while being designed for controlled setting and increased stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If embolization coils are used to treat aneurysms, then the aneurysm can be occluded, but recanalization occurs and fill is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of gallium-based glass particles embedded in a hydrogel matrix. The glass particles provide structural stability and controlled ion release, while the hydrogel provides biocompatibility and adaptability to the aneurysm cavity. This composite structure prevents recanalization by maintaining complete fill without compression, addressing both occlusion durability and fill completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the embolization material by using gallium-based glass with specific composition ratios (Ga2O3: 30-70 wt%, SiO2: 10-40 wt%, P2O5: 5-20 wt%). The controlled ion release rate and degradation profile are tuned by adjusting these compositional parameters, enabling sustained occlusion without recanalization while achieving complete cavity fill.
2Manufacturing precision
If embolization agents are used for wide-neck aneurysms, then fill can be improved, but recanalization rates remain high
Solution Approach 1:
The gallium-based glass particles continuously release ions (Ga3+, Si4+, P5+) over an extended period, providing sustained therapeutic action. This continuous ion release prevents endothelialization and recanalization by maintaining a hostile chemical environment for blood vessel regrowth, ensuring long-term occlusion durability while the hydrogel maintains complete fill.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel acts as an intermediary matrix that holds the glass particles in place within the aneurysm cavity. It provides a biocompatible environment that prevents premature degradation while allowing controlled ion release, mediating between the aggressive glass particles and the biological tissue to achieve both complete fill and durable occlusion.
3Illumination intensity
If platinum devices are coated with hydrogels, then radio-opacity is maintained, but recanalization and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radio-opacity function from the platinum metal and assigns it to gallium-based glass particles. Gallium has sufficient X-ray attenuation properties to maintain visibility on imaging, eliminating the need for platinum while avoiding its complications. The glass particles are embedded in the hydrogel matrix, providing both imaging capability and therapeutic function without the harmful effects of platinum devices.
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 gallium silicate glass composition provides a biocompatible and mechanically stable hydrogel that effectively prevents aneurysm recanalization, reduces vasospasm, and promotes vasodilation, offering improved treatment outcomes for cerebral aneurysms with controlled ion release and enhanced stability.
Implementation Method 1
the addition of gallium in this composition produces an acid labile tetrahedral structure, allowing for degradation of the glass in an acidic aqueous environment
Implementation Method 2
A further embodiment provides a method for the production of a flexible, biocompatible hydrogel from the glass
Implementation Method 3
The glass may further include potassium (K) which may advantageously reduce incidences of vasospasm and increase vasodilation
Data Source
AI summary
A gallium silica glass composition is described. The glass can be used in variety of biomedical applications.