High-Strength Porous Catheter Materials with Water-Soluble Polymers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face issues with thrombus formation due to blood protein and cell deposition, leading to restricted flow and increased complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, despite surface treatments aimed at improving thrombogenicity and lubricity.
Innovation Solution
Development of high strength, hydrophilic nanoporous biomaterials with water-soluble polymers incorporated within the pores, avoiding chemical crosslinkers or radiation crosslinking, to create a non-thrombogenic and lubricious surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surface treatments are applied to improve thrombogenicity and lubricity, then surface properties are enhanced, but thrombus formation still occurs and restricts flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous polymer structure where the bulk material itself provides thrombogenicity resistance through its porous architecture. The pores are filled with hydrophilic polymer that creates a non-thrombogenic environment, eliminating the need for separate surface treatments while preventing thrombus formation throughout the entire device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure combining a porous polymer matrix with hydrophilic polymer filling. This composite approach integrates both structural integrity and thrombogenicity resistance into a single material system, where the hydrophilic polymer within the pores provides lubricious surface properties and prevents thrombus formation without requiring additional surface coating layers.
2Strength
If bulk material properties are preserved with surface treatments, then structural integrity is maintained, but surface properties remain insufficient to prevent thrombus formation
Solution Approach 1:
The porous polymer structure maintains structural integrity through its engineered pore architecture while the pores are filled with hydrophilic polymer to provide hemocompatible surface properties. This eliminates the contradiction by making the bulk material itself hemocompatible rather than relying on surface treatments.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the structural function of the porous polymer with the hemocompatible function of the hydrophilic polymer filling into a single integrated material system. The hydrophilic polymer is incorporated throughout the pores, combining structural integrity and hemocompatibility in one unified structure rather than as separate layers.
3Strength
If chemical crosslinkers or radiation crosslinking are used to enhance material properties, then strength is improved, but material complexity and potential toxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for chemical crosslinkers and radiation crosslinking processes by utilizing the inherent properties of the porous polymer structure and hydrophilic polymer combination. The material achieves its desired properties through physical structure and material selection rather than complex chemical modification processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous polymer and hydrophilic polymer combination provides self-reinforcing properties through its structure. The hydrophilic polymer filling the pores provides structural support and strength enhancement without requiring external crosslinking agents or processes, allowing the material to achieve its properties through its own composition and structure.
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 materials exhibit a Young's elastic modulus of 500 MPa to 300 MPa, with reduced thrombogenicity and enhanced lubricity, minimizing thrombus formation and improving device functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an osmotic agent present in the polymeric material... configured to swell in an amount greater than or equal to 5 w/w % and less than or equal to 50 w/w % from a dehydrated state to an equilibrium water content state
Data Source
AI summary
High strength biomedical materials and processes for making the same are disclosed. Included in the disclosure are nanoporous hydrophilic solids that can be extruded with a high aspect ratio to make high strength medical catheters and other devices with lubricious and biocompatible surfaces. Polymers may be entrapped in pores of materials to provide a durable modification of the materials.