In Situ Hemostatic Foam Implants for Closed-Cavity Bleeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymers used for wound treatment often irritate skin and internal tissues, lack suitable mechanical properties, are not biodegradable, and are difficult to deploy within body cavities, making them unsuitable for immediate hemorrhage control in situations where surgical access is limited.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of a flowable polymer formulation into a body cavity, which foams to form an elastomeric polymer foam, cross-links, and applies pressure to limit bleeding, using mechanisms such as cross-linking condensation polymers, polyol and polyisocyanate mixtures, or two-part formulations to create conformal contact with bleeding injuries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional polymers are used for wound treatment, then they provide basic wound coverage, but they irritate skin and internal tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies polymer parameters by incorporating hydrophilic groups (such as carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amide groups) into the polymer structure, changing the chemical composition to reduce tissue irritation while maintaining wound coverage functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite materials by combining biodegradable polymer matrices with hydrophilic additives or coating layers, resulting in a multi-component system that provides both wound coverage and reduced tissue irritation
2Strength
If traditional polymers are used for wound treatment, then they provide structural support, but they lack suitable mechanical properties for internal body use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts mechanical parameters by controlling polymer molecular weight, cross-linking density, and crystallinity to achieve optimal balance between strength and softness suitable for internal body applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates regions with different mechanical properties within the polymer structure, such as a stronger outer layer for structural support and a softer inner layer for tissue compatibility
3Ease of operation
If traditional polymers are used for wound treatment, then they can be applied to wounds, but they are difficult to place within body cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition by formulating polymers that transition from a flowable state during injection to a gel or solid state after placement in the body cavity, enabling easy delivery through catheters followed by in situ stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates dynamically adjustable polymer formulations that change their flow properties in response to environmental conditions such as temperature or pH, allowing for easy injection when cool/liquid and stable placement when warm/gel-like
4Reliability
If traditional polymers are used for hemorrhage control, then they can be applied to wounds, but they are not sufficiently biodegradable for internal body cavity use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of polymers by incorporating biodegradable linkages (such as ester bonds) and adjusting molecular weight and composition to achieve controlled degradation rates that maintain hemorrhage control effectiveness while enabling safe resorption in the body
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts non-biodegradable components from the polymer formulation and replaces them with biodegradable alternatives, removing the harmful accumulation effect while preserving the hemorrhage control function
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 polymer foam effectively stabilizes bodily fluids and supports tissues by conformally adhering to wounds, providing mechanical support and limiting fluid movement, even in closed body cavities without requiring knowledge of injury sites, and is biodegradable.
Implementation Method 1
cross-linking a condensation polymer of a polyol and a polyacid within a body cavity
Implementation Method 2
cross-linking a condensation polymer of a polyol and a polyacid within a body cavity
Implementation Method 3
applies pressure to limit bleeding
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods related to polymer foams are generally described. Some embodiments relate to compositions and methods for the preparation of polymer foams, and methods for using the polymer foams. The polymer foams can be applied to a body cavity and placed in contact with, for example, tissue, injured tissue, internal organs, etc. In some embodiments, the polymer foams can be formed within a body cavity (i.e., in situ foam formation). In addition, the foamed polymers may be capable of exerting a pressure on an internal surface of a body cavity and preventing or limiting movement of a bodily fluid (e.g., blood, etc.).