In Situ Hemostatic Foam Implants for Internal Hemorrhage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymers used for wound treatment are not biocompatible, irritate tissues, lack suitable mechanical properties, and are difficult to deploy within body cavities, making them unsuitable for immediate hemorrhage control in internal wounds.
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 limits bleeding or bodily fluid movement, using mechanisms like cross-linking a condensation polymer or injecting a polyol and polyisocyanate mixture to create a foam that conforms to the cavity and supports tissues.
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 and are not sufficiently biodegradable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies polymer parameters by using biocompatible polymers with controlled degradation rates and appropriate mechanical properties. The formulation includes polymers that degrade at rates matching tissue healing, eliminating tissue irritation while maintaining reliability through biocompatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite foam materials combining multiple biocompatible polymers with complementary properties. This composite structure provides both tissue compatibility and controlled biodegradability, resolving the contradiction between avoiding irritation and ensuring reliable breakdown.
2Strength
If stiff polymers are used, then they provide adequate support for internal tissues, but they lead to discomfort or further injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the mechanical parameters of the polymer foam by controlling cross-linking density, foam cell structure, and polymer composition. This creates a material with optimized stiffness that provides necessary structural support while remaining soft enough to avoid tissue discomfort and injury.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polymers are made to be soft, then they reduce discomfort, but they fail to provide adequate support for internal tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops composite foam structures where soft polymer matrices are reinforced with structural elements or cross-linked networks. This composite approach maintains softness for comfort while incorporating strength-providing components to support internal tissues effectively.
4Ease of operation
If traditional treatment techniques are used, then they are simple to apply, but they are difficult to implement with internal wounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a foam delivery system where liquid polymer formulation is injected into the body cavity and then foams in situ. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach allows simple injection procedure while the expanding foam adapts to complex internal wound geometries, resolving the contradiction between ease of application and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from applying pre-formed solid polymers to injecting liquid formulation that transforms into expanding foam. This dimensional change from liquid to gas-filled foam structure enables the material to conform to three-dimensional internal wound spaces while maintaining simple injection-based application.
5Duration of action of stationary object
If polymers are designed for rapid degradation, then they are biodegradable, but they lack suitable mechanical properties during the degradation period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls degradation parameters by selecting polymers with specific hydrolysis rates and molecular weights. The formulation maintains adequate mechanical strength during the degradation period through controlled cross-linking and foam structure, while ensuring complete biodegradation occurs within the required timeframe.
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 body fluid loss by conforming to internal wounds, providing mechanical support, and is biodegradable, allowing deployment without requiring knowledge of the injury site, thus facilitating rapid hemorrhage control.
Implementation Method 1
cross-linking a condensation polymer of a polyol and a polyacid within a body cavity
Implementation Method 2
foaming the polymer formulation within the body cavity to produce an elastomeric polymer foam
Implementation Method 3
cross-linking a condensation polymer of a polyol and a polyacid
Data Source
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.).