Hyaluronic Acid-Pluronic Hydrogel for Long-Lasting Joint Injection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hyaluronic acid cross-linked products have low stability against degrading enzymes and heat, and it is difficult to remove unreacted cross-linking agents, limiting their use as high-purity biocompatible materials for treating intraarticular lesions.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel composition is developed by mixing hyaluronic acid with Pluronic without a cross-linking agent, maintaining stability and biocompatibility, and improving retention time in the body by enhancing viscoelasticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If hyaluronic acid is cross-linked using conventional methods with crosslinking agents, then physical stability and biodegradability are improved, but stability against degrading enzymes and heat deteriorates, and unreacted chemicals cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the crosslinking agent component from the system entirely. Instead of using chemical crosslinking agents that cause purification difficulties and residual toxicity, the invention extracts this harmful element and replaces crosslinking with physical entanglement of hyaluronic acid chains, achieving stability without the unwanted chemical additives
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of hyaluronic acid to ultra-high molecular weight (UL-HA) with viscosity of 1000-10000 cP at 1% concentration. This parameter change enables the hyaluronic acid to form stable gels through physical entanglement rather than chemical crosslinking, improving stability against degrading enzymes and heat while eliminating the need for crosslinking agents
2Strength
If polyfunctional epoxide-based crosslinking agent is used to improve physical properties, then viscosity increases, but concentration of crosslinking agent becomes high and purification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the crosslinking agent from the manufacturing process. By using ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with appropriate viscosity (1000-10000 cP at 1% concentration), the product achieves desired physical properties without requiring additional crosslinking chemicals that would complicate purification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple mixing process without complex crosslinking chemistry, making the manufacturing process more straightforward and easier to purify. The product relies on the inherent properties of UL-HA rather than complex chemical modifications
3Productivity
If crosslinking agent and hyaluronic acid are mixed in aqueous alkali solution to induce crosslinking reaction, then cross-linked product is formed, but reactivity is very low and large amount of crosslinking agent is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the crosslinking reaction step and crosslinking agent entirely from the process. Instead of relying on low-reactivity crosslinking chemistry in aqueous alkali solution, the invention uses ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronic acid that forms stable gels through physical entanglement, eliminating the need for large amounts of crosslinking agent
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter to ultra-high levels, which fundamentally alters the gelation mechanism from chemical crosslinking to physical entanglement. This parameter change improves reaction efficiency by eliminating the crosslinking reaction entirely and reduces the quantity of additional substances needed
4Ease of operation
If hyaluronic acid is used to lubricate joints, then symptom relief and function improvement are achieved, but retention time in the body is short due to easy decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter to ultra-high molecular weight (UL-HA) with viscosity of 1000-10000 cP at 1% concentration. This parameter change dramatically improves retention time in the body by reducing decomposition, while maintaining the lubrication function and symptom relief benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gel structure by combining ultra-high molecular weight hyaluronic acid with pluronic F127. This composite material provides both the lubrication function of hyaluronic acid and the extended retention time through the synergistic gel-forming properties of both components
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 composition effectively treats intraarticular lesions and inflammation with improved biocompatibility, stability, and prolonged retention time, suitable for injection without toxicity.
Implementation Method 1
improving retention time in the body by enhancing viscoelasticity
Implementation Method 2
a hyaluronic acid injection which lubricates the joints
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hydrogel composition prepared without using a binder. The composition is easy to inject into the human body and has a therapeutic effect on intraarticular lesions and inflammation. The hydrogel of the present invention, which is prepared without a binder, is degraded in an articulation for a long time due to the increased viscoelasticity thereof, thereby enjoying the advantage that the absorption time is prolonged. Therefore, when the hydrogel is used as an injection, its efficacy may be maintained for a long time. Furthermore, the hydrogel has no cytotoxicity, thus showing very high biocompatibility. Particularly when directly injected to an injured site in an articulation, the hydrogel has a therapeutic effect on the intraarticular lesion and inflammation in the corresponding site and thus may be advantageously utilized as a composition for prevention or treatment of an intraarticular lesion and as a viscosity supplement.