Hydrogel Implants with Varying Crosslinking for Tissue Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrogel technologies lack the ability to combine the properties of both reactive and initiated hydrogel precursors, limiting their versatility and effectiveness in applications such as medical device attachment to tissue, where a temporary adhesive and a secure attachment are required.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogel system is developed that includes a mesh implant with a film coating of an initiated precursor and reactive precursors, where the first hydrogel can be re-hydrated for temporary attachment and the initiated precursor is exposed to an initiator to form a second hydrogel for secure fixation to tissue, utilizing a combination of multi-arm polyether with electrophilic groups and nucleophilic groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a hydrogel uses only reactive precursors for attachment, then it provides immediate bonding to tissue, but it lacks the ability to provide both temporary and permanent attachment phases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel precursor system is segmented into two distinct types: reactive precursors that provide immediate bonding upon contact with tissue, and initiated precursors that require external activation (UV light, heat, or chemical initiators) to form a permanent attachment. This segmentation allows the hydrogel to provide both temporary and permanent attachment phases, resolving the contradiction between immediate bonding and long-term secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive precursors perform preliminary attachment action immediately upon contact with tissue, securing the mesh in place during surgery. Subsequently, the initiated precursors are activated to perform a second bonding action that provides permanent fixation. This preliminary action followed by a secondary action resolves the contradiction by providing both immediate and long-term attachment capabilities.
2Reliability
If a hydrogel uses only initiated precursors requiring external initiators, then it provides controlled and secure attachment, but it lacks immediate bonding capability
Solution Approach 1:
The precursor system is divided into reactive precursors that immediately bond to tissue without initiators, and initiated precursors that provide reliable permanent fixation when activated. This segmentation ensures both immediate ease of operation and reliable long-term attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Reactive precursors perform preliminary bonding immediately upon application, providing ease of operation during surgery. The initiated precursors then provide reliable permanent fixation when activated by external initiators, resolving the contradiction between immediate bonding and secure attachment.
3Strength
If a hydrogel uses high crosslinking density for strong attachment, then it provides secure fixation to tissue, but it reduces flexibility and tissue integration
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel creates local quality differences through varying crosslinking densities: regions with high crosslinking density provide strong attachment strength, while regions with lower crosslinking density maintain flexibility and facilitate tissue integration. This spatial variation in crosslinking density resolves the contradiction between strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel functions as a composite material combining precursors with different crosslinking characteristics. The reactive precursors form a less densely crosslinked network providing flexibility, while the initiated precursors form a more densely crosslinked network providing strength. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between attachment strength and tissue integration.
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
This approach allows for a hydrogel that can be re-hydrated to temporarily attach a mesh to tissue and then securely affix it using an initiated precursor, providing a strong and stable attachment while allowing for controlled degradation and tissue integration.
Implementation Method 1
a first reactive precursor comprising a multi-arm polyether possessing electrophilic groups, and a second reactive precursor including nucleophilic groups, wherein the first hydrogel can be re-hydrated to releasably attach the mesh to tissue
Implementation Method 2
the initiated precursor can be exposed to an initiator to form a second hydrogel securely affixing the mesh to tissue
Implementation Method 3
a film coating including a freeze-dried composition including an initiated precursor including at least one vinyl group, in combination with a first hydrogel
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hydrogel composition and methods of using the same. The hydrogel composition may include precursors that react with each other upon contact as well as precursors that react upon contact with an initiator. In embodiments, the resulting hydrogels may have varying levels of crosslinking with both denser and less dense regions.