Halogenated Phenolic Bioresorbable Polymers for Radiopaque Stents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical stents, particularly those made of metal, face challenges such as causing further injury to arteries, promoting in-stent restenosis, and requiring permanent residence in the vessel, which limits their effectiveness and necessitates the development of bioresorbable, radiopaque polymers for improved vascular treatment.
Innovation Solution
Development of inherently radiopaque, biocompatible, bioresorbable polymers comprising recurring units with halogenated phenolic moieties, which provide the necessary radiopacity and biodegradability for medical devices like stents, allowing for temporary treatment and potential re-treatment of the same region without long-term vessel occlusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal stents are used to provide sufficient radial strength and radiopacity, then the stent can hold open the artery and be visible during procedures, but the stent causes further injury to the artery and promotes in-stent restenosis due to permanent residence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by incorporating halogen-containing phenol moieties (iodine or bromine substituted phenolic groups) into the polymer backbone, transforming the material from non-radiopaque polymer to radiopaque bioresorbable polymer while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength for arterial support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a bioresorbable polymer that degrades and is absorbed by the body over time, replacing the permanent metal stent with a temporary structure that fulfills its support function and then naturally disappears, eliminating the long-term harmful effects of permanent implantation
2Reliability
If metal stents are used to ensure radiopacity for monitoring, then the stent can be seen and monitored by X-ray radiography, but the permanent metal implant becomes a barrier to subsequent surgical bypass and repeat treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a bioresorbable polymer stent that temporarily provides radiopacity through halogen-containing phenol moieties during the critical monitoring period, then degrades and is absorbed by the body, restoring vascular accessibility for future procedures while maintaining adequate visibility during the stent's functional lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the polymer's chemical composition by incorporating halogen atoms (iodine or bromine) into phenolic groups, which significantly increase the material's radiopacity to levels suitable for X-ray monitoring, while the polymer's bioresorbable nature ensures it will eventually degrade and be eliminated from the body
3Duration of action of stationary object
If polymer stents are used to avoid permanent residence, then the stent can be bioresorbable and allow repeat treatments, but the polymer is generally not naturally radiopaque
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite polymeric material that combines the beneficial properties of biodegradable polymers with radiopaque halogen-containing phenol moieties, achieving both bioresorbability for temporary treatment and inherent radiopacity for procedural monitoring without requiring additional radiopaque additives
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 polymers offer radiopacity for improved visibility during medical procedures, sufficient strength for arterial support, and a controlled resorption profile, enabling temporary treatment and potential re-treatment of vascular regions without the long-term complications associated with metal stents.
Implementation Method 1
the polymeric compositions comprise halogen-containing phenol moieties
Data Source
AI summary
Preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to polymeric medical devices, such as stents. More particularly, the compositions disclosed herein comprise halogen-containing phenol moeities, that may be used for medical devices and other uses whereby bioresorbable and radiopaque and physicomechanical properties are desired.